Thursday, September 26, 2013

Comfort Reading



        I have enjoyed a couple weeks of what I like to call “Comfort Reading”, settling in and enjoying some  
favorite mystery authors who write compelling series that always feel like coming home and putting on your favorite pair of slippers! My most recent comfy books included Kathy Reichs’s “Bones of the Lost” featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. I love Tempe’s medical cases, and her trials and tribulations with ex-husband Pete, daughter Katy, and sometimes boyfriend Ryan. I love that the setting switches, book-to-book, from Montreal, Quebec to Charlotte, NC because Tempe works (as does Reichs herself) in these two jurisdictions. And I loved that in this most recent mystery (though chiefly set in N.C.) Tempe had to travel to Afghanistan on a case, a fascinating and gripping twist.
        My second comfort read was “Dick Francis’s Refusal” by Felix Francis. I have read every Dick Francis horse-racing mystery (there are at least 40 of them) and was saddened, in 2010, to hear of his death at age 89. I knew that his son Felix had been helping his dad research his last few novels, so wasn’t too surprised when Felix took over writing his father’s mystery franchise shortly after. I was surprised, however, by how terrific and recognizable they were! Felix clearly inherited his father’s writing skills and style, and the three Felix Francis mysteries (thus far) have been very enjoyable, combining likeable jockey protagonists, English steeplechase racetracks, and murder. “Refusal” brings back an old Dick Francis recurring character, Sid Halley, an ex-jockey turned investigator who appears for the fifth time in the series. It’s a great story with an intriguing premise and lots of action!
        And no comfort list should be without the 23rd appearance of Kinsey Millhone in Sue Grafton’s “W is for Wasted”. This time, still in the 1980s in Santa Teresa, California, Kinsey investigates what at first seems to be one murder and one unexpected death with no ties between them. However, as Kinsey digs, she eventually figures out how these two deaths are surprisingly linked. Kinsey is as witty and engaging as ever, although somewhat more subdued and thoughtful owing to the emotionally charged tasks she has to perform in this story. I love her car, her neighbor Henry, her eating habits, and her honesty. I will hate to see the end of this series, coming soon with just X, Y, and Z to go.
        Reichs, Francis, and Grafton…three memorable and notable series that deserve to be read by any mystery lover. Of course, I’d always recommend starting with book 1 of each series and reading them in order! Now I’m waiting for the new Virgil Flowers mystery by John Sandford!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Michele Albion and "The Quotable Eleanor Roosevelt" October 8



The Friends of the Dover Public Library are pleased to host Dover resident Michele Wehrwein Albion, editor of the new book, “The Quotable Eleanor Roosevelt”, on Tuesday, October 8 at 7pm.  Having researched Mrs. Roosevelt extensively, Michele will offer new insights into one of America’s most misunderstood First Ladies.
     Born in the late 1800s to one of the wealthiest families in New York City, Eleanor Roosevelt seemed destined for a traditional woman’s role within a sedate Victorian life. Instead, she married her fifth cousin and was flung into the highest levels of American politics, culminating in Franklin’s unprecedented four-term presidency. Eleanor’s bold opinions on political, social, and racial issues took many by surprise. She held press conferences and wrote a syndicated column. She spoke at national conventions, granted interviews, and often made appearances on her husband’s behalf. Her own influence lasted years beyond his death. She advocated for human rights, worked with the United Nations, and supported what later became the civil rights movement.
The fascinating quotes collected by Michele Albion reveal an articulate, honest, and thoughtful woman. Of war, she said, “I hope the day will come when all that inventing and mechanical genius will be used for other purposes.” At a time when racism prevailed, Eleanor said, “We must be proud of every one of our citizens, for regardless of nationality, or race, every one contributes to the welfare and culture of the nation.” Organized by topic—government, money, art, education, class, relationships, emotions—these quotations disclose not only Roosevelt’s personal thoughts shared in letters and conversations, but also her strong opinions expressed in speeches and interviews. Each gives evidence of her character and her beliefs. Her words continue to resonate today.      
 Michele Wehrwein Albion grew up in Maine with a great respect for the past. She has
 degrees from the University of Maine and George Washington University. Before becoming a writer, Albion worked at the Fort Western Museum, The Maine State Museum, The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and The Edison and Ford Winter Estates. She is the author of “The Florida Life of Thomas Edison” and editor of “The Quotable Edison” and “The Quotable Henry Ford”. One reviewer has called her new book Clearly the definitive book of Eleanor Roosevelt quotes. Albion does excellent work weeding out all the apocryphal quotes so often attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, giving us only the real thing.” Signed copies of “The Quotable Eleanor Roosevelt” will be available for purchase. This program is free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact the Dover Public Library at 603-516-6050.  

Monday, September 23, 2013

Important News for Apple Device Onwers

If you upgrade to iOS 7 be aware that  when existing OverDrive Media Console (OMC) app users upgrade to iOS 7, the app will fail when trying to open a DRM-protected eBook. New or first time users of OMC are unaffected by this issue.

OverDrive is resolving the issue but in the meantime, here are immediate remedies for users:

1) Re-authenticate the app with your existing or a new Adobe ID.
2) Uninstall and re-install OMC which will also require you to re-authorize with Adobe. IMPORTANT NOTE: A re-install will clear a user's bookshelf, history, and app settings.

Audiobook users won't notice that anything is different unless they attempt to download parts of audiobooks they already downloaded to OMC before upgrading to iOS 7. A user will receive an error message informing them to download the title again.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

New eBooks Available Only to DPL Cardholders

The Library's Overdrive Advantage Downloadable Book collection is growing. We are ordering additional copies of popular titles that will be available only to Dover Public Library cardholders. Just make sure to log in to NH Downloadable Books before you begin searching the site. If you don't log in, you won't be able to find the DPL Overdrive Advantage titles. Any titles that are exclusively owned by the Dover Public Library will have an adjacent symbol that indicates Overdrive Advantage. 

 

These are the Advantage titles we have available so far: 


Inferno by Dan Brown eBook
QuietThe Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain eBook
Walflower in Bloom by Claire Cooke audiobook
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins audiobook
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins  audiobook
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins  audiobook
The Language of Flowers by Diffenbaugh
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn  eBook
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn  eBook
The Cuckoos Calling by John Galbraith/JK Rowling
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith eBook
The Racketeer by John Grisham eBook
The Heist by Janet Evanovich audiobook
Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen
eBook
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James eBook
Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James eBook
Fifty Shades Freed
by E.L. James eBook
Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella eBook
Defending Jacob by William Landay  eBook
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin eBook
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin eBook
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin eBook
A feast of Crows by George R.R. Martin eBook
Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin eBook
Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis V
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern eBook
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen  eBook
Elsewhere by Richard Russo eBook
Criminal by Karin Slaughter eBook
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks eBook
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed eBook
The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan
eBook

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Hope to See You Monday

The first meeting of the Dover Public Book Group is this Monday at 6:30pm in the Trustees Room. We will be discussing Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker, and will have the October book, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, available for borrowing. Hope to see you there!

Monday, September 09, 2013

It's Story Time!


Story Time Registration (for Dover Public Library card holders)
began today, September 9
Stop by or call the Children's Room @ 516-6052 to register.
Registration will continue all week.

Times for 3-6 year-olds:
Monday @ 1:30pm
Monday Bedtime @ 7:00pm or
Tuesday @ 9:30am

Times for Toddlers (21 months – 36 months):
Thursday or Friday @ 9:30am

Drop-in Story Time (all ages welcome, no registration required):
Every Wednesday in September @ 9:30am.
All are welcome.

Story Times begin the week of September 16 and continue for 5 weeks.

Friday, September 06, 2013

Saturday Mainees


The first Saturday Matinee for the fall season is this Saturday! Join us for Epic, rated PG, at 2pm in the Lecture Hall.   As always all of our movies are free and open to the public.  BYOP!  Follow this link to see future Saturday matinees.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards for Excellence in Children’s Literature

The winners of the 2013 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards (one of the most prestigious awards given in the field of children's and young adult literature) have been announced. And the Winners are...
 
bghb2013 winbooks 550x200 2013 Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards for Excellence in Childrens Literature
 

Picture Book:  Building Our House by Jonathan Bean
Fiction: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Non-Fiction:  Electric Ben: The amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin by Robert Byrd.
 
 
Two honor books were also named for each category:

Picture Books:  
Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeir and Black Dog by Levi Pinfold
Fiction:  Seraphina by Rachel Hartman and A Conor of White by Jaclyn Moriarty
Non-Fiction:  Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building by Christy Hale
and Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America by Andrea Davis Pinkney

We have all of them.  Check them out! 

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

"Two Old Friends" Concert on Sept. 17



The Friends of the Dover Public Library will present “Two Old Friends: Songs, Tunes and Stories from Ireland and America” on Tuesday evening, September 17 at 7pm in the library’s Lecture Hall. This performance will showcase plaintive ballads and foot-stomping shout tunes, soaring instrumental solos, traditional Irish tunes, and story-telling. There is truly something for everyone.

The “Two Old Friends” are Jim Prendergast and Emery Hutchins, musicians who play and sing a unique combination of CeItic and American country music. They will show the connection between the two genres. Emery is a well-known performer of a variety of different styles of acoustic music ranging from traditional Irish tunes to vintage American country music. Jim worked for thirty years in the recording studios and orchestra pits of Nashville. He now resides in NH and is an active participant in New England’s thriving Celtic/Folk music scene. 

The Two Old Friends will demonstrate how American music is really an amalgamation of musical styles: blues pieces juxtaposed with Irish jigs and reels, original melodies, and stories.
They will explore the themes of loss and renewal, despair and hope, anguish and joy that tell the tale of the Irish and every other group of people who have traveled to America.
In their informative and entertaining performance, Hutch and Jim will be singing and playing the banjo, guitar, mandolin, concertina, bodran and octave mandolin.
Friends of the Library programs are always free and open to all. Refreshments will be served following the performance. For more information, please call the Dover Public Library at  516-6050.