Difficult Subject Makes for A Depressing Yet Worthwhile Read

I had read about the book Methland and decided that since it is set in Oelwein, a small town in Iowa, I should probably read it. But it is not a book that you can just sit down and read all at once. Having grown up in a small town and still residing in the same place, I fully appreciate the story of how a town can be significantly affected by the influx of meth.

During the '80's, as my kids were born and started school, I became acquainted with more than a few families where the parents had become addicted and I saw first-hand the devastating results of such addictions. Reading Methland, it is almost like the author, Nick Reding, could be talking about my own town as the characters are familiar and the results similar. It is a very difficult story to read, simply because it hits so close to home. I was particularly surprised by the big businesses that were involved in creating and perpetuating the problems. Reding deserves a lot of credit for tackling the subject--often putting himself in harm's way, in the pursuit of the story!

Pride and Passion: The African American Baseball Experience

We have a wonderful exhibit coming to the East Side Library this month called, Pride and Passion: The African American Baseball Experience. You can find more info at: www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ppo/programming/pridepassion/prideandpassion.cfm



We kick it off with an opening night reception on Monday, September 21. The reception begins at 5:30 followed by an author event at 6:30 featuring Larry Tye, who will be discussing his book, Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend.

Fall Is a Great Time to READ!

Of course is there ever a bad time? I don't think so.

I can't believe it's been a year since I last added to this blog. I had such good intentions but the past year has been blur of author visits, programs, meetings, etc.

But enough about me--let's talk books.......

I just finished two great reads that I would highly recommend to anyone that likes good fiction. The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, is a fascinating story set in the early 60's, about a white socialite in Jackson, MS who decides to capture the stories of various maids. Once she finally persuades more than one woman to tell her story, she meets in secret to interview them and then publishes it anonymously. I heard Stockett speak at Book EXPO this summer and she is a delightful woman. Would love to have her come to DM for a visit!

The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by James Ford is another great read. Ford will be coming to the Central Library on October 13 so mark your calendar. This book is set in the 40's and is a beautifully written, innocent love-story between a young Chinese boy and a Japenese girl. Their friendship causes the boy to be disowned by his stalwart father and gives insight to the country's atmosphere as the Japanese were herded into internment camps.

Autumn is a Great Time for Author Visits

Fall is always an exciting time for new books being published and it seems like we usually have a flurry of author visit inquiries about this time. So we already have some wonderful programs planned. Stephen Bloom and Peter Feldstein will be visiting on September 22 to talk about their joint project and new book on the Oxford Project.


We are very excited to welcome author Richard Russo to Des Moines on October 6. I absolutely loved Empire Falls and Bridge of Sighs and look forward to hearing what he is working on now. Our good friends from Drake University David and Maddy Maxwell have agreed to act as joint moderators for that program so it promises to be fun!

Then Don Lago, a fellow Scandinavian descendant, will share stories from him book called, On the Viking Trail. He wrote the book to capture stories from his dad who had developed Alzheimers. I wish my dad had lived long enough to read the book. Don's descriptions and research should make anyone who has Scandinavian blood proud of their heritage and it may surprise folks to know that so many Swedes, Danes, and Norwegians brought so many talents and ideas to this country. He will be here on October 23.

Then we just booked Iowa author Douglas Bauer for a visit on November 6 to talk about his book called Prairie City, Iowa: Three Seasons at Home. And we still have a couple more folks that we may be bringing in so watch here for further details.

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Here it is --almost the Fourth of July and we are already set with several author visits for fall. First up, is a program celebrating the launch of a new book on the Oxford Project. Photographer Peter Feldstein and author Stephen Bloom will be visiting Des Moines to talk about their new book on Monday, September 22 at 7:00 PM at the Central Library.

We have been thrilled to add an AViD Extra! event featuring writer Richard Russo, who will be on book tour for the paperback version of Bridge of Sighs, on Monday, October 6. His program will be held at Hoyt Sherman Place Theater and begins at 7:00 PM.

And anyone with a Scandinavian heritage won't want to miss the upcoming program by author Don Lago who will share his experiences while writing On the Viking Trail. Many of the spots he visits and writes about are located in Iowa and the midwest. It made me proud to know that so many of our fellow "Scandihoovian" ancestors were brave and intelligent folks who brought great ideas and abilities to this country. He wrote the book to capture many of his dad's memories and I kept wishing that my own dad would have had a chance to read it before he, like Don's father, also succumbed to the indignities of Alzheimers.

We are just beginning the process to select AViD authors now so there will be lots more to tell you soon. We already have booked one author, Steven Biel, who will discuss his book, American Gothic. More details soon!

Predictably Irrational!

One of the fun benefits of working at the library is that Carla, our selection librarian, puts many of the advance reader copies she receives down in our staff room for employees to read and share. I make a pretty regular visit to the book shelves because if it great fun to read books before they are available to the public, they are often the books that the publishers are really pushing, many times the writers are going to be on book tour, and best of all, the books are free. Because they are advance reader copies, they often have typos so we are not allowed to add them to the collection, so, best of all, they are free!

Recently I picked up a book called Predictably Irrational by Dan Arielly. It's a great book for anyone that is into consumer behavior, marketing, or that just likes to read about how people think. The basic premise of the book is that humans are often very irrational but that they often they they are making rational decisions based on past history. Great book, quick read, fascinating.

Mysteries by Laura Lippman

Sometimes I like to read for an escape. Considering the weather we have had these past few days, escape sounds pretty good. So I have been enjoying a couple of mysteries by Laura Lippman. Laura is one of our AViD authors and I always like to read several books by each of our authors so that I have a better handle on what they've written. It's always fun to talk books with the authors while I am driving them from the airport, to dinner, and such.

Laura's books are all set in Baltimore and although I have been there once a long time ago, I don't know much about the city. Laura writes in great detail and makes the city sound so interesting. The book I am reading right now is based on the tradition of a visitor that leaves a half bottle of Cognac and some roses on the grave of Edgar Allen Poe. It's a fun read. Tess Monaghan is quite a character. Reminds me alot of Stephanie Plum in the Janet Evanovich mysteries.