Staff Pick: What If?

What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munrow is a book that has all the answer to quite a few very pressing questions.

Written by a former scientist for NASA, What If? keeps itself firmly in the Venn circles of scientific and hilarious. The first question that I heard from the book was "What would happen if I strapped a C4 to a boomerang?"

Other questions deal with the speed of light, vast quantities of rodents, lots of laser pointers, the energy worth of Yoda, and just about anything else you've ever wanted to know about science but have never thought to ask.

If you'd like to check out What If? you can find it in our catalog by clicking here.

-Washington

Staff Pick - Rocks: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith

Celebrity biographies are a “dime a dozen” anymore, but I do enjoy reading them.  Some are better than others, of course. Some celebrities can write well, and some should stay in their own arena.

The books that I am particularly drawn to are those about musicians.  I am curious about the lives of the men and women who shaped my musical tastes. Aerosmith is one of these bands.

Joe Perry is their lead guitarist and has written a biography of his life in and out of the hit-making power group. It is an interesting account of the band’s beginnings, their ups and downs along the road and of Perry’s role as a musician in his own right, and as a devoted husband and father.

If you'd like to read Rocks: My Life In and Out of Areosmith, you can find it in our catalog by clicking here.

-Nancy J

If you like Gone Girl...

Back in 2012, Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl was an instant New York Times Best Seller. In the thriller novel, a man's wife goes missing and the husband becomes the number one suspect. With an all star cast including Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, and Neil Patrick Harris, the film adaptation is now in theaters, and we've seen a renewed interest in the novel. If you're in line for a copy, you might check out one of these titles while you wait:

Chasing the Night
by Iris Johansen

Forensic sculptor Eve Duncan is drawn into the mystery of a child that had been abducted eight years earlier, and must use her skills with age progression as a way to reunite mother and son. But Eve must face looming demons of her own.

The Wrong Hostage
by Elizabeth Lowell

When federal judge Catherine Silva's son is kidnapped by a violent killer, she turns to ruthless Joe Faroe, an ex-kidnapping specialist and a man from her past, to help save her son from an underground world Joe is trying to leave behind.

The Silver Swan
by Benjamin Black

Quirke, an irascible, hard-drinking Dublin pathologist, investigates the apparent suicide of Deidre Hunt, the beautiful young wife of an old acquaintance, and discovers many things that might better have remained hidden, as well as grave danger to those he loves.

The Seduction of Water
by Carol Goodman

When one of Iris's stories about her mother is picked up by a small literary journal, things start to happen for her. She becomes convinced that a summer out of the city will give her the perfect setting in which to pen a memoir of her writer mother, as well as an opportunity to look for the rumored manuscript of her mother's final book. But there are those who are just as determined to keep the dead woman's secrets in the grave.

The Night Before
by Lisa Jackson

Caitlyn Montgomery Bandeaux, the prime suspect in the death of her ex-husband, returns to her childhood home to find the truth surrounding her recurring blackouts, leading her to psychologist Adam Hunt whose help unlocks a deadly secret.

Cause for Alarm
by Erica Spindler

Kate and Richard Ryan have the perfect marriage, except that they cannot have a baby, until Julianna Starr gives her child to them, but when Julianna molds herself in Kate's image - trying to steal Richard - the nightmare begins.

All book descriptions adapted from our catalog or worldcat.org.

Staff Pick - Homer's Odyssey

Homer's Odyssey is about Homer, a two week old kitten. When he was found and brought to the vet, it was clear he was healthy, but with an infection in his eyes that would lead to blindness. The veterinarian made the decision to treat him by removing his eyes. She knew this could make it difficult to find someone to adopt him, but he would be blind either way and with his eyelids sewn closed his appearance would seem mostly normal.

When the vet first approached Gwen Cooper, she had recently split from her boyfriend of 3 years and had custody of their two adult cats while living at her friend Melissa's home. They shared expenses, while Gwen continued to save up for her own place. These were concerns that Gwen was conscious of, up till she met and fell in love with the tiny, black, eyeless kitten who would soon be known as Homer.

Gwen tells the story of the next few years as Homer becomes a member of her cat family and of their adventures as Gwen looks for steady work and they all eventually move to New York City. When Gwen meets Laurence, she knows he's a special man, however he is not a "cat" person. Then she knows she is in love with him and they move in together. He soon learns how to appreciate living with her and her three cats. Finally they get married and blend their forever family.

If you'd like to check out Homer's Odyssey, you can find it in our catalog by clicking here.

-Cindy

Blue Zones Power 9: Belong

This is the seventh post in a nine-part series in which we are sharing resources available at the library to help you get on track with the Blue Zones Project.

What is the meaning of life? Is there life after death? How should we live? Where do I belong? As human beings, we have a natural tendency to ponder such questions. On our own, it's a struggle to find answers that are satisfying, and that's one reason why many turn to religion. The Blue Zones website suggests that attending a faith-based service four times a month - no matter the denomination - could increase your life expectancy by up to 14 years.

Here are a few titles in the library's collection that may help you on your path to finding where you belong:

World Religions in America
edited by Jacob Neusner

World Religions in America looks at the various religions in the United States and how they shape American life. World-class contributors highlight the many religious traditions, both old and new, that are currently practiced in the United States.

The Story of Christianity
by Matthew Price and Michael Collins

From its Old Testament beginnings to present-day Christian worship, Christianity has a fascinating, complex, and controversial history. This book provides a truly global view of Christianity across all denominations.

Faith: Trusting Your Own Deeper Experience
by Sharon Salzberg

In this beautifully written work, one of America's most beloved meditation teachers offers discerning wisdom on understanding faith as a healing quality. Through the teachings of Buddha and insight gained from her lifelong spiritual quest, Salzberg provides us with a road map for cultivating a feeling of peace that can be practiced by anyone of any tradition.

One World, Many Religions
by Mary Pope Osborne

Mary Pope Osborne introduces readers to the six major religions of the world. One World, Many Religions covers the history, beliefs, and practices of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.

A Faith Like Mine
by Laura Buller

Sometimes the best understanding comes from seeing the world from a child's perspective. In A Faith Like Mine, children of different religious backgrounds tell about their faith and what it means to them. Information about each religious tradition is included.

All book descriptions adapted from book covers.