Harrison Memorial Library

A wonderful short film for book lovers

2012-01-30T09:47:00.000-08:00

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Enjoy this delightful 14 minute wordless film crafted by children's author William Joyce. One of the my book club members shared it with me, and I thought our library patrons would love to watch this. Here's a brief summary, from the website Short of the Week:

"The story of Mr. Lessmore is a simple one. We meet Morris quietly writing his book, when a freak storm uproots him and his city, Wizard of Oz-style, leaving behind not even the words on a printed page. While picking up the pieces, he meets a friendly book that leads him to a new home and life. It is a wordless story about words and stories."

The film has received many awards already, and has been nominated for an Oscar.

Harrison Memorial Library's Reference Collection of Natural Wonders

2012-01-25T19:19:00.000-08:00

Beautiful illustrations, resourceful information, and everything you wanted to learn about nature and its wonders are at your fingertips. Come by the library and peruse through our reference collection of print encyclopedias and resources about Nature, specifically on Botony and Zoology. Would you like to learn more about the names of plants? There are plenty of species to look up and enjoy learning about. Or, if you live around the water or even Carmel-by-the-Sea, we have a book on shells that could be just for you! Our Reference section houses the following titles listed below, however, these titles cannot be checked out.

California Natural History Guides: Introduction to California Plant Life, REF. 581.97 ORN
Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia: Second Edition, REF. 590GRZ V. 1-17
Cambridge University Press' The Names of Plants 4th edition by David Gledhill,
REF. 580.14GLE
Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity: With a photographic guide to insects of eastern North America by Stephen A. Marshall, REF. 595.7MAR
The Book of Shells: A Life-Size Guide to Identifying and Classifying Six Hundred Seashells by M.G. Harasewych & Fabio Moretzsohn, REF.594.147 HAR
Gale Cengage Learning's Environmental Encyclopedia 4th Edition, REF.363.7 ENV

The Buddha in the Attic

2012-01-20T10:26:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I finished a book in one day, but I couldn't stop reading Julie Otsuka's The Buddha in the Attic. This novel is unlike anything I've read before. Instead of having a traditional narrator, the story is told by the collective "we." The "we" in the book are the Japanese women who came to San Francisco as "picture brides" for husbands they had never met. The novel follows their experiences through the years, as they adjust to their husbands and a sometimes disappointing life in the U.S., raise their children, and prepare for the mass re-location of Japanese-Americans into internment camps during World War II. By using the collective "we" in the novel, Otsuka illuminates both the variety in these women's stories and the similarities. You would think this approach would distance you, but in fact it makes the stories even more powerful and moving. This novel may be unlike anything you've ever read before, but you won't be disappointed. The Buddha in the Attic is available at the library and as an eBook for your Kindle, iPod or eReader.

New eBooks and Audiobooks for January

2012-01-05T10:36:00.000-08:00

It's a new year, and we've ordered another group of exciting titles for you!

New eBooks:
Back to Work by Bill Clinton
Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel
Catherine the Great by Robert Massie
Dreams of Joy by Lisa See
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Persuader by Lee Child
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Bright's Passage by Josh Ritter
At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks

New Audiobooks:
Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich
An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear

Check what new books are coming in. Place your favorites on hold!

2011-12-09T14:53:00.000-08:00

We have a new book list and the New York Times Bestseller lists placed on our catalog now. Look for the label "Lists" in the upper right hand corner of our catalog. Click on the arrow to show all our lists. You can choose the latest new book list, or the New York Times Bestseller list. Check what we've got listed, and place holds on the ones you want, after you've logged into your account. We'll post a new list every week.

New eBooks and Audiobooks for December

2011-12-08T14:45:00.001-08:00

New eBooks:
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
Blockade Billy by Stephen King
Blue Nights by Joan Didion
Eva Braun: Life with Hitler by Heike B. Gortemaker
A Fair Maiden by Joyce Carol Oates
The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking
The Litigators by John Grisham
The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon
Then Again by Diane Keaton

New eAudiobooks:
Fire in the East by Harry Sidebottom
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
You Had Me At Woof by Julie Klam

Did you know you could check out magazines?

2011-12-01T17:33:00.000-08:00

You can check out up to 10 magazines at a time for two weeks, just not the current issue. These are the magazines that go out the most from our Main Library, but our Children's Library has magazines for young people to check out too!

People
Real simple.
Cooking light.
Town & country.
House beautiful
National geographic.
New Yorker Magazine
Country Living
ARTnews magazine.
Scientific American

Try a classic novel for the holidays!

2011-11-26T16:18:00.000-08:00

Why not try reading a classic novel during this holiday season? The Count of Monte Cristo is an exciting read about revenge, love, and adventure written by nineteenth century French author, Alexandre Dumas. The Count of Monte Cristo is an actual true story. The Harrison Memorial Library owns copies of The Count of Monte Cristo in DVD, Book on CD, & in print. You may also want to try American author Edith Wharton and her Pulitzer Prize winning work, The Age of Innocence. The Age of Innocence takes place in New York during the late 19th century (1870's) and is a satire on New York society, expectations, etc., which existed over a century ago. The Age of Innocence is shelved in the Main Library in the Adult Fiction section and can be checked out and viewed as a DVD. Try the classics for a change! Enjoy!

Empire of the Summer Moon

2011-11-23T15:57:00.000-08:00

Empire of the Summer Moon is the story of the most powerful, but little known tribe, the Comanches. Quanah Parker was their last major chief. The son of a white captive woman and a Comanche, Parker assumed the last name of his mother. Interestingly, the mother didn't want to be rescued from her tribe. She loved her Indian husband and children and was an accepted member of the Comanches. Nevertheless, she was taken back to her white relatives and was prevented from escaping back to her Indian home. She lived only a short time and never saw her children or Indian husband again. Her relatives never understood why she wanted to go back to her Indian family. Quanah grew up and lived the life of a Comanche chief going on raiding parties and stealing horses. He was involved in battles with whites. However, when the Comanche people were defeated, he became a successful peacetime chief. He looked out for his tribe's interests, took care of their daily needs, such as food supplies, horses, and clothing. He knew the times had changed and his people had to adapt. At one time he was very prosperous, but at the time of his death he had very little money. He always remembered his mother and kept a picture of her in his home. He never turned away anyone in need of clothes or food. He took his responsibilities as a chief very seriously and tried to lead his tribe away from their nomadic life into a settled existence. The book reads more like a historical novel than a history.

New eBooks and Audiobooks

2011-11-22T17:31:00.001-08:00

We have ordered extra copies of popular eBooks and audiobooks just for YOU, our patrons!

New eBooks:
(don't forget, these work with Kindles now!)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka
Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness by Alexandra Fuller
Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
Cross Country by James Patterson
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Extraordinary, Ordinary People by Condoleezza Rice
Ford County by John Grisham
The Giver by Lois Lowry
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Plugged by Eoin Colfer
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
Wolf: The Lives of Jack London by James Haley

New Audiobooks:
10th Anniversary by James Patterson
61 Hours by Lee Childs
American Rebel: The Life of Clint Eastwood by Marc Eliot
The Anniversary Man by R. J. Ellory
The Art Detective: Fakes, Frauds, and Finds and the Search for Lost Treasure by Philip Mould
Being Martha: The Inside Story of Martha Stewart and her Amazing Life by Lloyd Allen
The Book of Spies by Gayle Linds
Damage by John Lescroart
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Sisters Who Would Be Queen by Leanda de Lisle

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A great read!

2011-10-12T18:57:00.000-07:00

Ms. Helen Simonson has created a great world to read about taking place in an English village. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is a lasting and memorable plot with a quite humble and caring protagonist (this of course is Major Pettigrew). Major Pettigrew is about finding a second chance at love and overcoming loss. The characters in Major Pettigrew are interesting and the overall story is a good page turner. Simonson also made the New York Times List with Major Pettigrew being her first work. Check it out here at Harrison Memorial Library's Main Library.

I just got my first Kindle! And I love it!

2011-10-07T10:20:00.001-07:00

As a librarian with a limitless supply of print books at my disposal, I never thought I would get an eBook reader. However, three things happened recently that changed my mind: the price of a Kindle dropped to $79, our library eBooks became compatible with Kindles, and I was about to go on a vacation where I planned to do a lot of reading. So, I decided it was time to try eBooks. My Kindle arrived yesterday--it is a perfect size and incredibly light and thin. More importantly, it's a breeze to download free library books from our Overdrive service. Here's how it works: you log into your Overdrive account and select a Kindle book (there were 750 available for immediate check out!). Once you check it out, select "Get for Kindle." Amazon's website opens in a new window and you see the book you just checked out. You click on "Get library book," log into your Amazon account, select "Continue" and BOOM it's immediately transferred (wirelessly) to your Kindle! It couldn't be easier, and I was impressed with the selection of available titles on Overdrive. My Kindle is the most basic model, but I am thrilled with it so far and can't wait to take it on vacation! If you have a Kindle and want to know it works with our library eBooks, stop by the reference desk or call us at 624-7323.

Library eBooks now available for Amazon® Kindle

2011-09-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

Library eBooks now available for Amazon® Kindle

Great news for our patrons who have been waiting patiently to download our Overdrive eBooks onto their Kindle! To get started go to our webpage, choose eBooks from the menu, then select Overdrive. You'll see a box saying "Now available: Library eBooks for Kindle" Just click there and get started! If you need assistance, look in Overdrive's My Help section, and select the advice for reading eBooks, then choose Kindle as your device.

Jo Nesbo's The Snowman

2011-09-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

I haven't read a lot of murder mysteries lately, but I was intrigued by The Snowman, the latest from the Norwegian novelist Jo Nesbo. I couldn't put this one down! Police detective Harry Hole is investigating the disappearances (and subsequent murders) of several women. The disappearances have a few strange aspects in common: they occur on the day of the first snowfall, and a snowman is built somewhere near the scene of the crime. Working together with his new colleague Katrine Bratt, Harry gets increasingly obsessed with the crimes and wonders if they are connected to other similar murders from past decades. After several false starts, Harry eventually comes to a stunning revelation.... This one will keep you on the edge of your seat!

OverDrive Advantage is here!

2011-09-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

If you have tried downloading eBooks and audio books from OverDrive and been frustrated by the long wait to get the titles you want, we have good news! Harrison Library is now part of OverDrive Advantage. Our librarians can determine which eBooks and audio books you want the most and order extra copies so you don't have to wait as long to get them! Here are a few of the titles we've ordered JUST FOR YOU!

Audiobooks:

The Anniversary Man by R.J. Ellory
The Book of Spies by Gayle Lynds

Damage by John Lescroart

Buttons and Bones by Monica Ferris

EBooks:

1022 Evergreen Place by Debbie Macomber

Worth Dying For by Lee Child

Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness by Alexandra Fuller

Extraordinary, Ordinary People by Condoleezza Rice

Find the closest library on your mobile device. Find us!

2011-08-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

PLP LIBS is a mobile app that serves as a directory for all libraries throughout the Pacific Library Partnership, including the Monterey Bay area. Search for a library by name, city, county, or by distance with your GPS enabled phone.
Each library branch listing includes location information such as street addresses and a link to Google Maps. Listings also include an image, hours and contact information including phone numbers and email addresses, and links to web pages.

How to Access the Mobile Application
To access the library's free mobile download, visit http://plplibs.boopsie.com using your phone's Internet browser.
OR
iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android users can obtain the application through the Apple App Store or Android Market. Do a search for "Pacific Library Partnership" or "PLP LIBS" to locate and download the free application. If you're unable to download from the Android Market, visit http://plplibs.boopsie.com/v2

Researching an Artist?

2011-08-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

Did you know that your library has a fantastic art research collection? We have books with artist's signatures, books on California and Carmel artists, books of art sale prices, the invaluable Benezit's Dictionary of Artists and many art encyclopedias and dictionaries in our reference department. We have Who's Who and Who Was Who in American Art, both in print and online.

We also have a large selection of beautiful books of art that can be checked out for your enjoyment or inspiration, and a wonderful how-to collection for the aspiring artist.

Washington's Crossing

2011-07-27T19:38:00.000-07:00

A great non-fiction book about American history is by, the Pulitzer Prize winner in history, author David Hackett Fischer entitled, Washington's Crossing, which is about the American Revolution. In his book Fischer discusses General Washington's dilemmas, military strategies, and successes throughout the American Revolution. There is also information about how the Founding Fathers realized what worked in the future American constitution.

In general, America's first president, George Washington, has always been revered in artist's portraits and renditions of him, including literature this book shows how he rose to power. Fischer's work has detailed information about the Hessians, British, and Americans and the obstacles they each faced, too.

This book is well written and could be appreciated by a layman audience. If you want to read an accurate detailed account about the American Revolution you must check out Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

2011-07-26T18:35:00.000-07:00

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is an easy read yet, has a profound subject. This book by Jamie Ford is set in Seattle, Washington. A young man , named Henry, who is Chinese and growing up during America's unfortunate time in its history, regarding the internment of Japanese-Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and WWII. This has a take on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, when Henry, finds friendship with a young Japanese American, who is also attending the elite all white school on a scholarship. Due to Asian history, Henry's parents strongly are anti-Japanese, most definitely Henry's father, who was in China at the time. The book unfolds telling a story of love lost and love found.

Mistress of Nothing

2011-07-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

Kate Pullinger's The Mistress of Nothing is a fictionalized account of real-life events in the mid-1800s. Diagnosed with tuberculosis, Lady Duff Gordon leaves her home and family in England to travel to Egypt, hoping the warm, dry climate will alleviate her suffering. She takes along her devoted lady's maid, Sally, who is thrilled to travel to such an exotic location. Sally falls in love with Lady Duff Gordon's Egyptian guide and interpreter, Omar (who is already married), and finds herself pregnant. All three characters are in a complex situation fraught with class struggles, cultural differences, and moral ambiguities. Not much is known about the real Sally, but Pullinger has brought her to life. We have The Mistress of Nothing as a book, a playaway, and on CD! This would be a great book club selection.

Intuition and Dreams

2011-07-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered if you were intuitive? Do you have dreams that you don't understand? In the 100s section of the Library there are many books on intuition and dream interpretation. They make for fascinating reading even if you don't completely agree with what the authors say. Next time you're in the Library, take a look at them.

Janet's top summer reading picks

2011-07-11T14:27:00.000-07:00

Our library director, Janet, recently gave a talk at the Carmel Foundation and handed out a list of her favorite books this year for summer reading. Several people who couldn't make the talk asked for the list, so here you go! You can find reviews of these books on our database, Book Index with Reviews or find summaries on Novelist. Just enter your library card number to use these, or any of our library databases.

JANET’S TOP TEN (Plus One!)

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

The 19^th Wife by David Ebershoff

Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls and The Glass Castle by the same author

The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli

The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom by Slavomir Rawicz

Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucia by Chris Stewart

New York by Edward Rutherferd

Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Great library commercial!

2011-06-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a great library commercial from the Finnish Library Association.

Edward Weston Exhibition

2011-06-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

The Monterey Museum of Art at the La Mirada location is featuring a wonderful exhibit of Edward Weston's photography. He is famous for his sharply focused black and white photographs. The Harrison Library has a number of books of Weston's photographs. After seeing the exhibit, which runs from June 18 to October 2, 2011, visit the Library to check out these books.

June is Audiobook Month- Get Caught Listening!

2011-06-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

I listen to a lot of audiobooks, commuting to work from Salinas every day, and they make the drive a pleasure! We have thousands of audiobooks on CD, cassettes, and Playaways, for adults and children. Some I choose for the story, some because I know the reader is good. For instance, I'll listen to anything read by Simon Vance. He's wonderful! Some of my favorites are:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (and its sequels), beautifully read by Simon Vance
The Sex Lives of Cannibals, by J. Maarten Troost, also read by Simon Vance.
At Home, by Bill Bryson, read by the author
Driving Over Lemons, by Chris Stewart, read by the author
The Harry Potter series, ready by Audie winner Jim Dale
About Alice, by Calvin Trillin, read by the author
Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, ready by Edward Herrmann
and Losing Mum and Pup, by Christopher Buckley, read by the author

Do you have a favorite to pass along? We're thinking of getting MP3 CDs (the whole book on one CD, but you need a modern CD player). Would that be of interest to you?

Summer Adult Reading Program

2011-06-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

Our Summer Adult Reading Program runs through Sat. July 16. There are prizes and a program by Robert Knight on Sat. July 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the Main Library. Check out the display of adult fiction upstairs. The librarians have selected books with a destination theme. The display changes weekly as books are checked out, so if you don't see anything you like one week, come by later to see different titles. As always, the newest fiction will be downstairs in the Lobby.

Goodbye and Best Wishes to Rose, our Local History Librarian

2011-06-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

Rose McLendon, our local history librarian, is departing Carmel to return to Seattle, her home. Rose has been our local history librarian since 2006, has answered thousands of challenging local history questions over the years, and organized the very popular local history lectures, with an ever-increasing attendance. She was also our librarian in charge of technical services, and was instrumental in creating our new webpage, including designing the logo.

Rose was also an active member of the Society of California Archivists, acting as their membership director for the past year, and our representative in CHAMBR, Collaborative Historical Archive of the Monterey Bay Region, and other Monterey Bay Area local history projects.

The local history department will be closed over the summer, as we tackle the difficult job of replacing her. Good luck Rose- we will all miss you!

New Teen Lounge and Webpage

2011-06-08T12:06:00.000-07:00

The Library has a new space for teens, at the Main Library and online. Our Teen Lounge is in the basement of the Main Library, and has comfortable tables and chairs for reading or studying, magazines, and loads of new books for teen readers, just in time for summer reading. The Web page features reviews by librarians and teen readers, library news and resources for teens, and a survey. Check it out!

Yosemite

2011-05-31T12:08:00.000-07:00

Yosemite is one of the nation's most spectacular National Parks. Many visitors from all over the world come to visit each year. El Capitan and Half-Dome are majestic. Yosemite, Vernal, and Bridalveil Falls are huge this year because of all the snow in the Sierras. The library has many books as well as audio and visual materials that give lots of information about this National Park.

New at the Library! Consumer Reports and Nolo Press Online

2011-05-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

We've subscribed to both Consumer Reports and the Legal Information Reference Center with self-help legal books and forms from Nolo Press online. You can use them at the library, or from home with your library card number. Go to our Reference and Databases page- you'll see the link above. Just click on the globe. Consumer Reports is listed under magazines. The Legal Information Reference Center is listed further down the page, under Legal. Any questions? Just ask!

Pablo Picasso Exhibit

2011-05-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

The de Young Museum will have an extraordinary exhibition of more than 100 masterpieces by Pablo Picasso this summer. The show begins June 11 and ends on October 9. The Musee National Picasso is closed for renovations and has sent out this exhibit consisting of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints. The Harrison Library has quite a few books, videos, and sound recordings about Picasso's life and art. Be sure to examine some of them before and after you go to this exhibit.

Carmel Art Festival

2011-05-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

Check out the Carmel Art Festival's website. You'll find all the information you need, including a list of the artists, a map showing where they'll be painting, and special events provided by individual galleries. There is also a PDF file of the program that you can download.

http://www.carmelartfestival.org/

May 12-15 in downtown Carmel

Guess what- the book is not dead!

2011-05-05T14:24:00.000-07:00

Rush Brandis, from the California State librarian's office, brought this article to my attention. Good to know!

Robert Darnton is University Librarian at Harvard. He wrote recently in the Chronicle of Higher Education about what he considers to be the following 5 myths.

1) "The book is dead."

2) "We have entered the Information Age."

3) "All information is now available online."

4) "Libraries are obsolete."

5) "The future is digital."

http://chronicle.com/article/5-Myths-About-the-Information/127105/

Culinary book clubs are popping up from coast to coast

2011-05-03T15:38:00.000-07:00

The San Jose Mercury News has a great article on culinary book clubs. I love food related books! After reading Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle I was hooked. I went on to Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food and The Omnivore's Dilemma, and Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love, which is at least partly food related. And I didn't stop there! Next were food memoirs, Ruth Reichl's Tender at the Bone and Garlic and Sapphires, Bill Buford's Heat, Julia Child's My Life in France, Chris Stewart's wonderful Driving Over Lemons, set in Andalucia, and Anthony Bourdain's hilarious Kitchen Confidential. Then there was the weirdly specific Cod, by Michael Kurlansky. Do you have any favorites?

Celebrate National Library Week - Win a Sony Reader!

2011-04-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried using Overdrive's Digital Library to download an e-book from us? Ever thought about it? To celebrate National Library Week (April 10-16) Overdrive is having a contest and offering a free Sony Reader as a prize. You can find out details here- Look for the April 11 post for National Library Week.

If you want to know about our e-books and e-audio books, take a look our website.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog--Wonderful audiobook!

2011-04-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

Recently there's been a lot of buzz about a novel called The Elegance of the Hedgehog by French author Muriel Barbery. It's a highly intellectual yet humorous story about two women--a 54-year-old concierge at an upscale Paris apartment building and a 12-year-old who lives in the building. Both women are extremely intelligent, but they choose to hide their brilliance from the rest of the world. When a Japanese man moves into the building, things begin to change. I highly recommend the audio book of this novel (which we have here at Harrison Library). It features two narrators who give voice to the main female characters, and each sounds exactly as she should. It's a wonderful audiobook!

Author Rodes Fishburne Signing at Sunset Center

2011-04-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

Going to See the Elephant: by Rodes Fishburne
Tuesday, May 3, 7:00 p.m.
Carpenter Hall, Sunset Center, 9th and Mission

Join us for an author presentation and book signing of Rodes Fishburne's "Going to See the Elephant". Rhodes Fishburne has been praised by Tom Wolfe and compared to Tom Robbins. "Going to See the Elephant' was chosen as an Amazon Best of the Month Book in January 2009 by Amazon.com.

$10 suggested donation. Proceeds from tickets and book sales benefit the Library. Limited seating, so please arrive early. Questions? Contact the Carmel Public Library Foundation: 831-624-2811

Memoir Writing Workshops with Patrice Vecchione

2011-04-05T17:49:00.000-07:00

Let author and poet Patrice Vecchione (http://www.patricevecchione.com/) show you how to get started writing your memoir. The April 30th workshop will get you started; the May 7th workshop will take you further. Everyone’s story is unique and important, of value in the present and to future generations. Join us and discover how to write yours. Bring pen, paper and your story!

Patrice is the author of Writing and the Spiritual Life: Finding Your Voice by Looking Within, and several books of poetry.

Main Library
Saturday, April 30 and Saturday, May 7, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

A Secret Gift:How One Man's Kindness-and a Trove of Letters-Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression

2011-03-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

Samuel Stone, the author's grandfather, was very well off during the start of the Great Depression. He loved his new country so much that he wanted to give back to people in his city, Canton, Ohio, who were having a hard time financially. He assumed an alias, and promised the people who answered his ad in the paper that he would not reveal their identities. Stone selected almost a 100 people to receive a check for $5.00 to use over the holidays. Ted Gup, the grandson, found the letters in an old suitcase after his grandfather had died. Being an investigative reporter by trade, he set out to find out what happened to these people. The book gives a fascinating glimpse into a time when there was no work, yet people didn't want handouts or charity. They wanted jobs.

Restrictions on library e-book lending threaten access to information | American Libraries Magazine

2011-03-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

Restrictions on library e-book lending threaten access to information | American Libraries Magazine

New Ayn Rand biography

2011-03-12T13:55:00.000-08:00

On my way back and forth from work I have been listening to Ayn Rand and the World She Made, a new biography by Anne C. Heller. I highly recommend the book to anyone who has ever been curious about Rand's life and philosophy. After all, her experiences, in particular her youth in Soviet Russia, are essential to understanding her love of capitalism and individualism. Fascinating!

New in Carmel Public Library Foundation Arts & Literary Series: The Shah

2011-03-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

The Carmel Public Library Foundation Arts & Literary Series is hosting an author presentation and book signing of Abbas Milani's The Shah. The San Francisco Examiner said of the book: "Milani, co-director of the Iran Democracy Project at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, brings to us a whole new set of facts, culled from thousands of recently declassified British, American and Iranian documents and hundreds of interviews, making this book fresh and relevant to the current democracy movement in Iran and to U.S. Iranian relations."

Abbas Milani is the director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University.

March 22, 7:00 pm, Sunset Center's Carpenter Hall.

$10 suggested donation. Proceeds from tickets and book sales benefit the Library. Limited seating, so please arrive early. Questions? Contact the Carmel Public Library Foundation: 831-624-2811

New books!

2011-03-04T16:36:00.000-08:00

Looking for new books? We post our new books on our website under Reader's Corner. Look for the words "Check Out Our New Books". That's me in the Reader's Corner picture!

Peace and Plenty

2011-02-23T16:12:00.000-08:00

Sarah Ban Breathnach has a new book out. For those of you who loved Simple Abundance, this new book is a real eyeopener. Breathnach reveals that she has lost just about all the money she made from the sales of her first book, an amount that was many millions of dollars. She outlines many different strategies that she now uses to give her some financial peace. Some of the methods are old-fashioned, such as using an envelope system with cash to keep track of where her money is going. Also, she continues to use Spirit to guide her. Breathnach admits that she made many bad decisions, such as buying many pairs of very expensive shoes and Marilyn Monroe's furs. These decisions, on top of a disastrous third marriage to the "Englishman,"contributed to her losing most of her wealth. The global financial meltdown made her situation even worse. All in all, this book is a cautionary tale about finances. I think it's a better book than her other books, such as Something More. You can judge for yourself, as the Library has four different books by this author.

Virtual Book Club???

2011-02-18T11:29:00.000-08:00

Some libraries are experimenting with "Virtual Book Clubs." The idea is that everyone reads the same book and then shares their opinions and insights on a blog. Would you ever consider trying a Virtual Book Club???

Bill Bryson's At Home

2011-02-17T17:47:00.000-08:00

I don't think Bill Bryson can write a boring book! Bryson is the author of some of my favorite books, including A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (hilarious), and A Short History of Nearly Everything (fascinating). His latest, At Home: A Short History of Private Life, is every bit as amusing and interesting. The subject doesn't sound like it would be a grabber- the history of domesticity, as inspired by his own English parsonage, room by room. The bathroom inspires a history of plumbing, the kitchen a history of food, etc. His sidetracking is just as interesting as his main story. Ever heard of Catalhoyuk? It's a recently discovered ancient city in Anatolia dating from about 7500 BC, that contained perhaps 10,000 residents, but the houses had no doors as we know them, the houses all adjoined, and there were no streets. So how did people get from house to house? Apparently they clambered out a hole in the roof, scampered across the roofs, and went down a ladder into the neighbor's house! I don't know about you- but I find this stuff fascinating. I find myself reading little chunks of the book out loud to anyone who will listen. I highly recommend this book, any of his travel books, and two of Bryson's more obscure titles- Mother Tongue, and Made in America, both about the history of the English language.

2011-02-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

Check out the fiction display upstairs. In honor of Valentine's Day, we have a selection of romance novels. If you don't see one of your favorites, let a Reference Librarian know and we will either find it for you, or consider it for purchase. Enjoy the day!

Just in time for Valentine's Day: Real-Life Romances

2011-02-01T17:16:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in real-life love stories, check out the display in the reading room. We've got some great biographies featuring couples like Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller, Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, just to name a few.

Large Print Books Have a New Location

2011-01-26T19:10:00.000-08:00

Our large print books have moved upstairs to our reference area. They've been buried downstairs for years, but now they should be easier to find and easier get to, as well as easier to read. Our large print collection includes bestsellers, current fiction, classics, biographies and non-fiction. So if you find your eyesight fading, but still want to read, check out our Large Print book collection in its new home.

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

2011-01-19T14:26:00.000-08:00

Rarely do I read the latest bestsellers; it seems that the hot new titles are always checked out and usually have several holds. I'd rather let our patrons read them first. Eventually, I get around to those books, but more often than not, the items that I check out are the books published in the last 5-10 years that may have slipped through the cracks.

In this vein, one of the last books I read was Alan Bennett's "The Uncommon Reader." A slip of a book at only 120 pages (a true novella), Bennett wonders how reading and literature can affect a person. We follow the U.K.'s Queen Elizabeth II, a non-reader in this fictional world and in somewhat of a rut, as she slowly discovers the joys of reading. From her first encounter with the local library's bookmobile, the Queen gradually engages with the world outside her palace walls. The expansion of the Queen's mind and worldview is a scary prospect for her cabinet ministers as she attempts to move from a figurehead position to a more vocal advocate of issues and causes.

Three thoughts about "The Uncommon Reader": 1) Like great short stories, great novellas must be concise and to the point. Not a word should be wasted; every sentence perfectly formed and constructed for a reason. The ease and beauty of the language in this novella makes for a quick read. 2) The blurring of reality and fiction. As we all know, Queen Elizabeth II is a real person, full of thoughts and quirks and ideas. How does one fictionalize a famous, living person, and do so in a way to create a well-rounded character on paper? Somehow, Bennett accomplishes this and the result is a delight. 3) Reading about readers makes one consider their own reading habits. After I finished, I actively thought about what I wanted to read next.

Based on the Book

2011-01-18T17:17:00.001-08:00

This is the time of year when the movie awards start going out, and film critics compile their Best of the Year lists. Many of these movies are based on books or short stories, such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Shutter Island, and True Grit. The Mid-Continent Public Library has put together a website that lists 1250 of these, dating back to 1980. You can view lists by book titles or authors, film titles, or year that the film was released. I've put together a display of many of these books in our fiction section. I almost always like the book better, but once in a while the book is just as good, or even better! I thought the Harry Potter movies were very true to the books, but for Shutter Island, the book was far superior. And I'll have to admit, I liked The Princess Bride better as a movie than as a book. Do you have any Based on the Book favorites?

Just Kids by Patti Smith

2011-01-11T10:32:00.001-08:00

For an intimate view of the artists and avant-garde of New York City in the 1970s, read Patti Smith's well-written biography, Just Kids. Smith describes her early days as the companion of the artist/photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and details her development as an artist, poet, and musician. Did you know she also had a relationship with the playwright and actor Sam Shepard and co-wrote the play Cowboy Mouth? I found it interesting that Smith made the decision to work multiple jobs to support Mapplethorpe while he struggled to make a name for himself as an artist. And despite living in impoverished circumstances, there always seemed to be money for drugs. Have you read this book? What do you think? Clearly Mapplethorpe encouraged Smith's artistic endeavors, but did she sacrifice too much for his art?

American Library Association announces youth media award winners

2011-01-10T17:11:00.000-08:00

The American Library Association announced their youth media award winners today, including the Newbery and Caldecott winners.

2011-01-04T18:07:00.001-08:00

I just finished Robert Goolrick's A Reliable Wife. It's an interesting, suspenseful read about a wealthy Wisconsin widower who places an ad for "a reliable wife" and gets more than he bargained for when Catherine Land arrives at his door. Catherine is a beautiful woman with a mysterious past, and it's unclear what her intentions are. From the opening scene to the tragic conclusion, this book is a beautifully written page turner that would be a great book club selection.

2010-12-30T13:35:00.000-08:00

Take another look at Eat, Pray, Love. You may have seen the movie, but the book goes into more detail about Elizabeth Gilbert's search for love, meaning, and spirituality. There is also more discussion of what Gilbert was searching for in Italy, India, and Indonesia. I'm rereading the book to make sure I get the full impact of Gibert's discoveries and experiences.

What did you read over the holidays?

2010-12-30T10:19:00.000-08:00

I love the holidays, when things slow down and I have time to read some of the titles I've had my eye on during the year. I just finished The Sisters Antipodes by Jane Alison, a unique and remarkable biography about two families in which the parents divorced, switched partners, and remarried. Each family had two young daughters, one of whom was the author--she was only four when this parental switch occurred. The book follows Alison's confusion with the arrangment, her search for identity, her quest for approval from her stepfather, and her longing for her missing father's love. It also details her complicated, and ultimately tragic, relationship with her stepsister, Jenny. What did you read over the holidays?

Masterplots

2010-12-29T19:06:00.000-08:00

The library just received the new edition of the reference classic Masterplots, from Salem Press. Masterplots is kind of an upscale Cliff Notes, with plot summaries of classic and contemporary literature, character profiles, and critical summaries. It's great for reminding you of the plot of a long-forgotten book, or for finding out what the critics thought of your book club choice. My book club is reading Charles Dickens' Bleak House right now, so I checked the critical evaluation to see what Masterplots had to say about it. I'd been somewhat stalled in all the subplots, but now that I have an overview, I'm plunging ahead with renewed vigor!

Masterplots is available in the reference collection, and online from the library's computers. In the advanced search online you can browse for books by geographical location (Egypt) or by genre (absurdist literature, say, or magical realism.) This is a great addition to the library's literary resources.

Let it Snow

2010-12-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

Ashlee, our Saturday librarian, has put together an imaginative display of books with "Snow" or "Ice" in the title. We have Peter Hoeg's Smilla's Sense of Snow, Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes, Anita Shreve's Light on Snow, and many more. Feeling wintery? Check out the display upstairs in our fiction section.

This post has been making the rounds on Facebook lately. How many of these have you read?

2010-12-03T15:40:00.000-08:00

Have you read more than 6 of these books? The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books listed here.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien

3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

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4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling

5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

6 The Bible

7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell

9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman

10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott

12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy

13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller

14 Complete Works of Shakespeare (Seriously, ALL OF IT?!)

16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien

17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk

18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger

19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

20 Middlemarch - George Eliot

21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell

22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald

23 Bleak House – Charles Dickens

24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy

25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame

31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens

33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis

34 Emma -Jane Austen

35 Persuasion - Jane Austen

36 The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - CS Lewis

37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres

39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

40 Winnie the Pooh - A.A. Milne

41 Animal Farm - George Orwell

42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving

45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery

47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy

48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood

49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding

50 Atonement - Ian McEwan

51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel

52 Dune - Frank Herbert

53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons

54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen

55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth

56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon

60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov

63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt

64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas

66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac

67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy

68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding

69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie

70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville

71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens

72 Dracula - Bram Stoker

73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson

75 Ulysses - James Joyce

76 The Inferno - Dante

77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome

78 Germinal - Emile Zola

79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

80 Possession - AS Byatt

81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker

84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro

85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert

86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry

87 Charlotte’s Web - E.B. White

88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom

89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton

91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad

92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks

94 Watership Down - Richard Adams

95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute

97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare

99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl

100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

2010-12-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

A lot of book clubs (my mom's included) are reading Jamie Ford's Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, now available in paperback and at our library (call first to make sure it's available).
This novel tells the story of Henry, a recently widowed Chinese-American. The book moves back and forth between the 1980s and Henry's rich memories of his boyhood in Seattle during World War II, including his relationship with a Japanese-American girl, Keiko. Henry's memories of Keiko are brought to the surface when a basement full of personal items (stored by Japanese-Americans before they were evacuated to internment camps) is discovered during the renovation of a local hotel. I'm halfway through the book right now--Ford's description of the experiences of both Japanese and Chinese-Americans during World War II is fascinating.

I Remember Nothing

2010-12-02T16:18:00.000-08:00

Nora Ephron's latest book is just as funny as I Feel Bad About My Neck. She writes about age and memory, especially as we get older. Ephron wanted to write about her memories before she forgets them all. She is a humorist with sharp insights. Everybody will enjoy this book even if they are too young to be forgetful.

Emma Donoghue scoops Irish literary award

2010-11-29T09:53:00.000-08:00

Emma Donoghue scoops Irish literary award Irish Entertainment Around the World IrishCentral

Read the book or listen to the book on CD- we've got them both!

If You Liked Stieg Larsson...

2010-11-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

Have you read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and both sequels and still want more? The library has several more Scandinavian mystery writers that might keep you going until the rumored fourth book comes out, if ever. Try fellow Swedish mystery writers Henning Mankell, Hakan Nesser, or Asa Larsson. For classic police procedurals there's Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. Staying with a Scandinavian theme there's also Icelandic author Arnaldur Indridason, and Norwegians Kjell Ola Dahl, Jo Nesbo, Anne Holt and Karin Fossum. And if you've never read Danish author Peter Hoeg's Smilla's Sense of Snow, this is the time to do it! Per Petterson's critically acclaimed Out Stealing Horses isn't quite a mystery, but what a wonderful read! Have I left anyone out?

Susan Casey's new book The Wave

2010-11-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

My son just finished Susan Casey's book The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks and Giants of the Ocean . He loved it! Casey focuses primarily on the adventures of big wave surfers (many of whom have tackled the giant surf at local spots such as Ghost Tree and Mavericks), but she also discusses the science of big waves and recounts some frightening disasters caused by tsunamis and rogue waves. A great read!

Are Cozy Mysteries your cup of tea?

2010-11-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

The "cozy mystery" is an increasingly popular genre which features amateur sleuths (frequently a woman), a small town or village setting, and every-day characters and situations. These mysteries don't feature explicit "adult" situations, profanity, or gory details (murders always happen off stage). Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers are the grande dames of the genre, but many contemporary authors have joined in. A great selection of cozy mysteries is now on display at the Library. So as the cold fall weather sets in, pour a cup of tea, sit by the fire, and enjoy one of these gentle reads!

Access My Library: Search our databases from your Smartphone

2010-11-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

View your library's online resources 24/7 from your Android, iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Go to http://www.gale.cengage.com/apps/ to get your app today. Just enter your library card number to get access to all these Gale databases:

MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS:

Academic Onefile - Journal and magazine articles.

General Onefile - Full-text magazine articles on a wide range of topics.

Full Text Newspapers - Full text newspaper database.

In forme - Full text Hispanic magazines.

Biography in Context - Biographical information on over 525,000 people.

BOOKS AND LITERATURE:

Books and Authors - Recommended titles and plot summaries.

Literature Resource Center - Biography, literary criticism and reviews on writers.

Litfinder - access to more than 135,000 full-text poems, stories, plays, speeches.

BUSINESS:

Business and Company in Context - Company and industry information.

Career Transitions - Explore careers and interests, build a resume.

Small Business Resource Center - resources for starting and operating a business, including accounting, finance, human resources, management, marketing, tax, and more. Includes sample business plans.

GENERAL REFERENCE:

Gale Directory Library Includes Gale's Directories of Associations, Wholesalers and Distributors, Nonprofit Organizations, and Publication and Broadcast Media.

Gale Virtual Reference Library - Online encyclopedias and reference sources. Includes the following titles: International Directory of Films and Filmmakers Ethical and Socially Responsible Investment: A guide for researchersEndangered SpeciesPollution A to ZGale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and UnexplainedDrugs and Controlled Substances: Information for studentsGale Encyclopedia of SurgeryMacmillan Encyclopedia of EnergyWorld of Forensic Science

MEDICAL:

Health and Wellness Resource Center - Medical reference database for consumers.

Health Reference Center Academic - Full text articles from nursing and allied health journals.

STUDENT RESOURCES:

U.S. History i n Context and World History in Context - Primary historical documents.

Kids InfoBits - For beginning researchers, grades K-5.

Opposing Viewpoints i n Context - Overviews, statistics, articles, etc. on current social issues.

Science i n Context - an in-depth, curriculum-oriented science database that provides a one-stop resource for all science-related research needs.

Student Resources i n Context - Reference database covering core curriculum areas

A Facelift for the Garden

2010-10-07T15:33:00.001-07:00

The Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club has completely renovated the garden in front of the library. They started with the irrigation system, which wasn't working properly, added more flowers and, my favorite, a dry creek bed with irises. All work and materials were paid for by the garden club. You can read a nice article about it in the October 1 Carmel Pine Cone, p. 6A, either in the library, or online.

You can also see a listing of the plants on a display board in front of the garden, or at the reference desk.

Mario Vargas Llosa wins the 2010 Nobel Prize in Literature

2010-10-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Mario Vargas Llosa for winning the Nobel Prize in Literature this year. The New York Times has a nice article - it's fun to read the comments to it. Our library has quite a few of Vargas Lllosa's books, in English and in Spanish. Come check one out!

Libraries Will Survive

2010-10-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

This is a must watch You Tube video for those in doubt about the future of libraries. Inspired by the 1978 disco hit "I Will Survive", the lyrics were rewritten to proclaim support for libraries, particularly under the stress of tight budgets.

Word 2007 is here

2010-10-05T12:12:00.000-07:00

We now have Microsoft Word 2007 available on all our public computers. It's significantly different from Word 2003, so the library staff has all been trained to help out if you get stuck. And if you just hate change, we kept Word 2003 around so that you can use the old familiar program too. The Florida Gulf Coast University has created a great tutorial that you can use.

Enough

2010-09-08T15:44:00.000-07:00

Enough by John C. Bogle of index mutual fund fame, discusses why we should aim for enough and not excess profits. Bogle starts out outlining his life from when he was a boy to his founding of Vanguard. Then in subsequent chapters he makes the case for investment instead of speculation, simplicity instead of complexity, stewardship instead of salesmanship, and character instead of "success." He makes a strong case for eighteenth century values in the twenty-first century. Given the current state of the economy, Bogle's points should be taken to heart.

Want to listen to a book while you walk your dog?

2010-09-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Harrison Memorial Library offers thousands of free eBooks and eAudiobooks that can be downloaded from our website, and then transferred to your iPod, MP3 player, or Sony Reader? Have you always wanted to try this but didn't know how? Come to our workshop to find out more!

Introduction to eBooks and eAudiobooks
Saturday, September 18
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Main Library (Ocean and Lincoln)

Call 624-7323 to sign up and to get more information!

Biographical Resources Online

2010-08-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

The library subscribes to several databases that give you access to information about people. Whether you are curious about people in the news (who is this Lady Gaga anyway?), researching a report (Martin Luther King), doing business research (Bill Gates), or genealogy (Aunt Anna), the library has a resource for you. Our latest subscription is to the Biography Reference Bank Select. To log on to this or any of our other Biography databases, go to our home page and click on Reference and Databases at the top of the page. You'll find all of them listed under Biography. Most can be accessed with your library card number from any computer anywhere, but Ancestry does need to be used in the library. Need help? Call a reference librarian at (831) 624-7323.

ZoomText now available to MAGNIFY the computer screen

2010-08-10T10:32:00.000-07:00

The library now has a program available to magnify text on Web pages or Word documents. It's called ZoomText, and is available on a laptop at the reference desk at the Main library. This laptop may be checked out to use anywhere in the library. We also have Windows Magnifier, if you prefer that program.

Also, if you are sight impaired and wish to read newspapers, magazines, or books in the library, we have a machine that will greatly magnify the print. Just ask the reference librarian for assistance - we'll be glad to show you how to use it.

We also have a large selection of audio books and large print books for our sight impaired readers.

Help Now! Homework Help and Adult Learning Center

2010-08-09T09:25:00.000-07:00

Would you like to brush up on your rusty math skills? Does someone you know need help with homework? How about a writing lab to help you write better letters, term papers, or reports? This great service features an Adult Learning Center, Practice Tests (SAT, ACT, etc.), a Foreign Language Lab, Writing Lab, Homework Help and Live Skills Building. Click on the HelpNow link below to receive one-on-one online help from an expert tutor (available from 1 pm to 10 pm): HelpNow

The Best of British Fiction!

2010-08-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

Each year, the Man Booker Prize is awarded to the best novel written by a citizen of the British Commonwealth. Come to the library to see a display of Booker Prize Winners and experience the best of contemporary British fiction!

House of Mirth

2010-07-31T13:39:00.000-07:00

Whenever people as me what my favorite book is I can never think of a response. It is dependent on mood, weather, etc. etc., I feel as though I have read so many things that I loved, that left an imprint on how I view the world, be they non-fiction books, children's books, picture books, novels, or short stories. I own tons of books, the majority of which, are sadly in storage because my beautiful little cottage is too small for them. There are however, books that I have to have with me, whenever I move or go on an extended trip. One of these is "The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton. Lilly Bart, the heroine of the novel, has been left on the mercy of her wealthy relations to support her. Her naivete is frustrating, and yet understandable. You want her to just do something and yet can understand why she doesn't. Wealth is undeniably attractive, and she is used to living a certain lifestyle, in the upper eschelons of society. However, Lilly resists marrying any of the wealthy bachelors who court her. I don't think that I have ever read anything by Edith Wharton that I haven't enjoyed. While Henry James novels can be tedious at times in their elaborate detail in describing the social rituals at the turn of the century, but Wharton's novels always remain compelling down to the last word on the last page.

2010-07-29T16:28:00.000-07:00

There are some new religious and spiritual books in the lobby. Patience with God provides an alternative to the atheists and the religious fundamentalists. The Faith Instinct makes the case that religion has an evolutionary basis. Finally, Dying for Heaven discusses why religiously motivated terrorists are willing to self-destruct to achieve their goals.

Adult Summer Reading Club Party - Water Your Mind!

2010-07-26T13:18:00.000-07:00

Our first ever adult summer reading club has been a great success. We'll celebrate that success with a party for all participants this coming Friday, July 30, at 3:30 in the Main Library. We'll have refreshments and prize drawings, and you'll get a chance to meet your fellow readers and exchange recommendations.

2010-07-22T16:02:00.000-07:00

We have some new science books in the lobby.The Greatest Show on Earth is a defense of the theory of evolution. Lucy's Legacy tells the tale of a 3.2 million-year-old skeleton. Water is a narrative of the power struggles, personalities, and breakthroughs from the beginning of civilization around the issue of water.

Art Books

2010-07-15T15:31:00.000-07:00

Harrison Memorial Library has some beautiful new art books. They are primarily about plein-air painters. They are currently in the lobby, but due to their size, most of them will be shelved in the oversize section in the future. Be sure to look through these gorgeous books: In Nature's Temple, Enchanted Isle, East Coast / West Coast and Beyond, and Joseph Kleitsch.

Coming soon! New biographies!

2010-07-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few of the exciting new biographies that will be on our shelves soon:

Pearl Buck in China: Journey to the Good Earth by Hilary Spurling -- "Weaving a colorful tapestry of Pearl Buck's life (1892–1973) with strands of Chinese history and literature, Spurling...vividly correlates Buck's experiences of China's turbulent times to her novels." (Publisher's Weekly)

Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the Marriage of the Century by Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger -- “[An] entertaining, blow-by-blow account of the life and times of an epic Hollywood couple... There is no shortage of saucy anecdotes in Furious Love...” (Wall Street Journal )

Lives Like Loaded Guns: Emily Dickinson and Her Family's Feuds by Lyndall Gordon…

"This biography is informed by two revelations: first, a bombshell that is likely to be debated as long as there are inquiring readers of Emily Dickinson; and second, the effect of a family love affair on the poet's long and complex publishing history." (Publisher's Weekly)

Nomad: From Islam to America: A Personal Journey Through the Clash of Civilizations by Ayaan Hirsi Ali -- "Hirsi Ali follows up her highly acclaimed book Infidel (2007), which described her transition from obedient Muslim woman to international feminist, with a closer look at her nomadic journey from Somalia to Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia to Kenya to Holland, where she was a member of parliament, and now the U.S." (Booklist)

High Financier: The Lives and Time of Siegmund Warburg by Niall Ferguson -- "For his latest subject, Ferguson (The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World ) has chosen a notable if lesser-known figure of 20th-century international finance, a man no longer in the shadow of the Morgans and the Rothschilds thanks to this superlative biography." (Library Journal)

The Life of Irene Nemirovsky: 1903-1942 by Olivier Philipponnat, Patrick Lienhardt, and Euan Cameron -- "Philipponnat and Lienhardt chronicle every complex challenge, joy, and betrayal Némirovsky faced, up to her death at Auschwitz, in this propulsive, discerning, and devastating portrait of a brilliant writer in a time of escalating horror.” (Booklist)

Wolf: The Lives of Jack London by James L. Haley -- “Careful research illuminates the creative process through which London forged such powerful works as Call of the Wild, White Fang, and The Game…[A]ny reader who shares even a spark of London’s incandescent curiosity will relish this vivid portrait.” (Booklist)

The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham: A Biography by Selina Hastings -- "Monumentally engaging… All of the drama, intrigue, heartbreak and joy that marked Maugham’s life is reconstructed by the author in enthralling, novelistic prose. A powerful, revealing and authoritative depiction of one the 20th century’s most notorious literary figures." (Kirkus)

Constantine: Roman Emperor, Christian Victor by Paul Stephenson -- "Everyone interested in the classical period should read this exemplary biography, which eschews psychological speculation and instead builds its case inventively from primary accounts and the iconographic record in statuary, architecture, and coinage." (Library Journal)

The Butterfly Mosque: A Young American Woman's Journey to Love and Islam by Willow Wilson -- “Wilson’s illuminating memoir offers keen insights into Islamic culture. . . . An eye-opening look at a misunderstood and often polarizing faith, Wilson’s memoir is bound to spark discussion.” (Booklist)

The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron by Howard Bryant -- "Bryant’s research here is exhaustive, but it only serves to add texture and context to Aaron’s compelling story...Must reading for baseball fans of every generation." (Booklist)

If you would like to place a hold on any of these books, please call the reference desk at 624-7323.

Mysteries have a "Faithful Place" in my Heart...

2010-07-10T13:48:00.000-07:00

Something very exciting is happening on Tuesday. Tana French's new mystery novel "Faithful Place" is finally being released. Now I never used to be a mystery reader, with the exception of my absolute devotion to Agatha Christie. However in the past year something has come over me, and it began with Tana French's first book "In the Woods." I toyed with the idea of reading it for a while, quite honestly drawn to it, because of its really cool cover. The novel ended up being just as cool on the inside as on the outside. When her book "The Likeness" came out I did not hesistate, and when doing a read-alike search found myself reading Asa Larssen's triology, followed by a major obsession with Raymond Chandler. All these years I had pegged mystery novels as CSI type whodunits, that could never measure up to the cleverness of my Agatha. However I was proven quite wrong. These authors who write about quite different places and quite a different style, have several things in common: 1. Amazing decriptive prose. Setting and atmosphere are increadibly important to mystery novels and these writers can take your breath away, whether with a description of a hot Los Angeles day, or the Irish countryside. 2. Compelling characters that move their stories into places you were not anticipating, and 3. Cleverness, plain and simple. I like being surprised at the end. I also like to get my brain working trying to solve the mystery. Just like Agatha these authors give you everything you need, and never withhold any evidence, so usually if I haven't got things figured out by the end it is because I was so caught up in the story. So, if you are stuck in the doldrums like I was, or even if you have always loved mysteries, give these authors a try.

Adult Summer Reading

2010-07-06T15:06:00.000-07:00

163 patrons have signed up so far for our adult summer reading club- "Water Your Mind." And, we have 8 happy winners of prize bags, with coffee tokens, chocolate bars, and couple of books each. You still have time to sign up for weeks three, four, and five. Just talk to the staff at the check out desk. They will be delighted to sign you up.

What I Saw and How I Lied.

2010-07-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

Often overlooked by adults, teen and youth fiction has much enjoyment to offer to readers of all ages. Case in point the Teen novel and National Book Award Winner, "What I Saw and How I Lied." This book is the story of 15 year old Evie, her mother, stepfather and what happens to their family when they leave Brooklyn for a vacation in Palm Beach, Florida during the off-season. It is told from the point of view of Evie. Her parents are befriended by another couple staying at the hotel, and a handsome, charming, younger man, who is incredibly attentive to Evie's mother. Without spoiling any of the plot turns and twists, I will just say that this novel has a very film noir vibe, permeated with the languid heat and humidity of Palm Beach. Perfect summertime reading!

Other Teen Fiction to Check Out!

- Jellicoe Road by Mellina Marchetta

- Graceling by Kristin Cashore

- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

- Going Bovine by Libba Bray

- Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

Maps

2010-07-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

Going on a road trip? Check out the Library's collection of maps. We have them for every state, and most countries.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

2010-06-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

For a fantastic read I recommend The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot. Bringing up many questions about medical, scientific, and social ethics, this book forces readers think at what cost the medical advances we have today, were reached. After her death from cancer, Henrietta Lack's tumor cells were taken with out her or her family's consent. Researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital has discovered that they were "immortal." They never died, just kept reproducing themselves, making them ideal for scientific research. The HeLa cell line has been used all over the world, and spawned a billion dollar industrry. Still in use by scientists today, HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; helped uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the effects of the atom bomb; and helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping. However, her family had no idea that Henrietta was still "alive," until reasearchers wanted to use her children's cells for further reaserch almost two decades later. Over the decade it took to uncover this story, the author became enmeshed in the lives of the Lacks family, especially Henrietta’s daughter Deborah, who was devastated to learn about her mother’s cells. Their journey toegther to discover the Lacks' family's past and the fate of the HeLa cell line, is heartwrenching. This is a book that you will not be able to put down or stop thinking about for a long time.

Local History reopens!

2010-06-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

After being closed for a month due to construction to improve our vault, the Henry Meade Williams Local History Room will reopen on Tuesday June 29, 2010. Though there won't be a grand re-opening, all of us here at Local History give a very hearty huzzah to once again helping our wonderful patrons with their questions.

Art and Craft Books

2010-06-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

We have some wonderful new art and craft books at the Library, including Pierre Bonnard and Craft in America. Be sure to check the new book section for more books.

Free holds!

2010-06-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

Did you know that there is no charge to place a hold on library materials? You can place a hold from your home computer (you will need your library card number), or call the reference desk (624-7323) and we will place a hold for you. If you have an email address on file with us, we will send an email to you when your item becomes available. If you prefer a notice by mail, we can do that too. All free of charge!

What is your book club reading?

2010-06-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Some popular choices for book clubs right now are The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson, and The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. What is your book club reading?

Adult Summer Reading Program - Water Your Mind!

2010-06-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

You may fondly remember summer reading programs from when you were a child, or you may have enrolled your child in our summer reading program. Well, now is your chance to participate yourself! Our program starts on Monday, June 21, and features great prizes for those participating. Ask at the check-out desk, or see here for more information.

U.S. Open

2010-06-10T13:18:00.000-07:00

Swing by the Library to check out our exhibit of golf books for the U.S. Open!

Need legal advice?

2010-06-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

Try our Nolo books! The reference department has a wide selection of current Nolo books which provide detailed legal information on a variety of topics. So come in and take a look at "Fight your ticket and win in California", "The foreclosure survival guide", or "How to do your own divorce in California."

Improvement to the Local History vault

2010-05-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

The Local History Room has been temporarily closed for the last few weeks and may be closed for another week or two. Why? The Library is installing a new HVAC unit to replace our aging monster.

HVAC units are vital tools in the proper storage and maintenance of archival facilities. These units help to control temperature and humidity. Ideally, temperature is kept between 65 and 70 degrees Farenheit and a relative humidity of between 40-45%. Wide fluctuations of temperature and humidity can damage paper materials, thus the importance of having a good, functioning HVAC system.

Everything that hasn't been removed from the vault has been covered in construction plastic. You can see this in the photograph as well as other evidence of construction. Hopefully in the next week or two, the Local History Room will reopen good as new.

Career Transitions

2010-05-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

We just added Career Transitions to our list of resources available on the Web with your library card. You can explore career interests, build a resume, or look for jobs. Look for the link on our Jobs and Employment page, under Reference and Databases.

At a time when the need to re-evaluate, alter or develop careers is greater than ever, Gale, part of Cengage Learning, has developed a resource that is allowing libraries to help patrons through each step of the career change process. Patrons may access Career Transitions at Harrison Memorial Library or from any computer by going to the library Web site and using their library card.

Career Transitions is a complete, guided, self-paced application that walks the individual through the entire process –

assessing strengths and interests
exploring new opportunities
preparing a resume
finding educational opportunities and networking advice
performing a comprehensive job search
applying online.

Users are guided by clear and concise information about career paths, industries, companies, job availability, growth potential and professional associations – organized around simple-to-navigate portals that combine overviews with statistical information and Web tools to help make well-planned career choices.

Mango Languages

2010-05-11T12:12:00.000-07:00

Did you know we have a fun, fast and easy language learning program called Mango Languages? The best part it is free for Harrison Memorial Library patrons and you can access it anywhere there is internet access with your library card.

Mango is the easiest and most effective way to learn to speak a foreign language. Mango is available in two versions:
Mango Basic:
Perfect for a foreign language beginner, Mango Basic teaches everyday greetings, gratitudes, goodbyes and helpful phrases in a short period of time. The courses, which require only two to five hours of time to complete, are currently available in 22 foreign languages and 14 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.

You can view all the supported Mango Basic languages and ESL courses here.

Mango Complete:
Mango Complete offers a 100-lesson course that digs much deeper and is designed to provide a more complete understanding of the entire language and culture. It is available in nine foreign language and three ESL courses. Foreign language courses include Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. ESL courses include Polish, Spanish and Portuguese.

To learn more about Mango and get a short preview of what the program has to offer, you can visit the company's website at http://www.mangolanguages.com/. Even better, you can visit our Languages page and get started on the courses themselves!

Memoir Writing: Book suggestions from Patrice Vecchione

2010-02-09T15:06:00.000-08:00

Just in case you missed Patrice Vecchione's workshop on memoir writing, here are some books she recommends:

Somewhere Towards the End*, Diana Athill
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly*, Jean-Dominique Bauby
A Thousand Days in Venice*, Marlena de Blasi
Tattoo for a Slave, Hortense Calisher
The Year of Magical Thinking*, Joan Didion
The Narrow Waters, Julian Gracq
Accidental Autobiography, Barbara Grizutti Harrison
Seeking Rapture, Kathryn Harrison
Triangular Road, Paule Marshall
Running in the Family, Michael Ondaatje
The Delicacy and Strength of Lace, Leslie Marmon Silko and James Wright
Daybook, The Journal of an Artist, Ann Truitt
Writing and the Spiritual Life*, Patrice Vecchione
Essays of E.B. White*
*call Harrison Library (624-7323) to check for availability

AccessMyLibrary iPhone® app

2010-01-27T15:57:00.000-08:00

The AccessMyLibrary iPhone® app from Gale is now available! Download it to get free, unlimited access to library resources within a 10-mile radius of your location. Learn more and get it today at http://www.gale.com/apps

Waiting in the doctor’s office and interested in checking into that medication you are taking? Wondering what you are going to do about the report your sixth grader forgot to mention? Working on the car and not quite sure how to replace that fuel pump?
If you need to do some research and can’t make it to the library, Harrison Memorial Library is proud to announce we can now bring the library to you – whether you are in the doctor’s office, at your kitchen table or under the hood of your car.
By taking advantage of the Gale AccessMyLibrary (AML) mobile application for the iPhone, research is as simple as an Internet search on a mobile phone. Gale, part of Cengage Learning, has developed an iPhone application allowing you to access library information wherever you are. This service helps people retrieve quick, authoritative answers -- while raising awareness about the rich resources available in the library.

Researchers can find thousands of magazines, journals and newspapers covering a wide variety of topics including • Health care - discover dependable facts

• Environment - track the latest findings

• Biographies - from history and today’s headlines

• Career choices – step-by-step information

• Literature – track a bestseller or write a term paper

• Science - Study current, credible research

• Hundreds of sources for home, school or business.

We're in the Monterey County Weekly!

2010-01-19T09:46:00.000-08:00

The Weekly has an article on Library 2.0, or the new technology in Monterey County Libraries, and we're one of them! It talks about our e-books, online language learning program (Mango), and Wii at youth services.