“The School of Essential Ingredients”

Lillian’s response to those who ask about the essential ingredients in cooking is that there are none. “You will learn what you need to.”

Lillian is an owner of a popular restaurant and offers weekly cooking lessons. Her latest class is a mix of young and old including Claire, a young mother; Tom, a lawyer who is mourning the loss of his wife; Antonia, a kitchen designer from Italy who is new to America and Carl and Helen, an elderly couple.

You will find out about each of their stories and how Lillian and her cooking class helps to transform their lives.

This is a delightful story by Erica Bauermeister, one that I enjoyed immensely. And you may learn some cooking tips along the way.

Jan

“Half the Sky”

One of my favorite columnists Nicholas Kristof, and his wife Sheryl WuDunn, have written an important book that is both shocking and inspiring. The book is about the oppression of women and girls in developing nations. You will read about teenagers being sold into sexual slavery, women suffering devastating injuries from childbirth,  genital cutting and more. As horrific as these stories are (and it is very difficult to read about them), it is also inspiring how some of these women have had the courage to rise above their circumstances. This book is a call to action for anyone who cares about human rights and the authors provide information on how you can help.

Everyone should read this book. – Jan

Find Out about Facebook

Have you heard about Facebook but you’re not sure you want to sign up? Learn what it is, how it works and how to stay safe and private.

Saturday, February 13 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The first half of the program will be a presentation. In the second half we will help you set up your own Facebook account (optional).

Pre-registration is required. Call the library at 753-1042 to register. Basic computer skills are required and you must already have an email address  if you want to set up a Facebook account.

Jan

February book discussion

On Wednesday, February 17 from 7:00 – 7:50 p.m. we will be discussing Richard Russo’s “Straight Man.”

Russo, author of “Empire Falls,” “Bridge of Sighs” and many other great novels, will be appearing at the Rosamond Gifford lecture series in Syracuse in March. We thought we might try one of his shorter novels for February in case anyone is planning on attending the lecture.

Hope you will join us. Everyone is welcome! – Jan

From Library Journal

“Hank Devereaux Jr. is the kind of guy who turns anything serious into a joke. Pushing 50, he’s the interim chair of a squabbling English department at a small rural college. Big budget cuts are rumored. Each department chair has been told to provide a list of those who will lose their jobs. His department believes that Hank has prepared such a list, but he hasn’t and won’t. Instead, he goes on television and spontaneously jokes that he will kill the campus geese until the administration gives him his budget. When a goose really is killed, Hank becomes the prime suspect. In his earlier novels Russo captured with compassion and humor the lives of the people in small backwater towns; now he does the same for those who inhabit the groves of academe. This novel is filled with laughter but also much seriousness. Give it a straight A.”

Do you love James Patterson?

I guess, a lot of folks do. Here’s a story about

James Patterson, Inc.  from the New York Times.

“Since 2006, Mr. Patterson has written one out of every 17 hardcover novels  bought in the United States.”

Wii games & Wii program

Did you know that the library lets you borrow Wii games? We have about 50 games circulating throughout the Finger Lakes Library System. They can be borrowed for one week, with a one week renewal available. Search in the catalog for Wii games and you will find what we have available.

“Wii Love Gaming @ the Library”
Saturday, February 27 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Come and play several Wii games in Youth Services.
(for ages 10 and older)

Quote of the Day

“I find television to be very educating.  Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book.”   – Groucho Marx

Haiti

The Middletown Thrall library has created an information guide on Haiti, the country, the earthquake, charities, emergency info and more.

Find it here.

“Where Men Win Glory”

Pat Tillman was a NFL player with a bright future, when in 2002, he walked away from his $3.6 million contract and enlisted in the Army. Two years later he was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. But his story doesn’t end there. His family has fought for years to find out what really happened to Tillman.

Jon Krakauer, author of “Into Thin Air,” and “Into the Wild” has written a detailed account of the life and times of Pat Tillman, from his years growing up near San Jose, to his days at Arizona State,  his NFL days with the Cardinals, and his time in the Army. Tillman was truly a complex character. He was so much more than the heroic figure portrayed by the Bush administration and the media. Krakauer brings it all out into the open.

Jan

Robert B. Parker

Robert B. Parker, mystery writer and author of the Spenser series of novels, has died. Here is the story from the New York Times.