Smythie
The monthly e-newsletter of the Smyth Public Library
May 2019
Volume 13, No.2
Memories, Pictures and stories!
The Candia Heritage Commission is looking for stories and photos of Smyth Library experiences. It is compiling a story of our very active Candia library from the last days at the “Old Library” to the present in the “New” library. How has the library been part of life in Candia? Leave your contribution at the front desk or email: Heritage@candianh.org.
Events…
Redline Hiking in the White Mountains
With Steve Hale
Wednesday, May 15th at 6:30pm
Presentation documenting my personal journey as a Redline Hiker in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Redline Hiking is the goal to hike all the miles of trails on the map (denoted often as redlines) of some large area (in this case the 1,440 miles of trails in the White Mountains of NH and ME). Here I showcase and story tell some of my interesting trail encounters with wildlife, wildflowers, and wild scenery.
Smyth Library 3rd Annual Trivia Night
Wednesday, May 29th at 6:30 pm
Candia’s 3rd Annual TRIVIA CONTEST! GET YOUR TEAMS TOGETHER!! Get your neighbors, get your friends and smart enemies. We are asking for sign-ups now!
BIG PRIZES to the TOP TEAMS!!
First Prize: $60 gift certificate to Tuckaway Tavern
Second (if 5 or more teams): $30 certificate to Cello’s
Teams:
Up to 6 people. Children under 12 don’t count towards the 6.
Must have at least 1 Candia resident
For purposes of this contest, all Jesse Remington faculty and students and Moore School teachers are Candia residents.
Get your teams together! The Einsteins are stocking up to try and break their string of silver medals!
Currier Family Art Program
Thursday, May 30 at 6pm
In this class, parents will work side by side with their children to create a collage inspired by both the Mount Washington Cog Railway as well as artwork of the Railway in the Currier Museum of Art collection. Led by an Art Center instructor, students will use colorful cut paper and pastels to make their own scene of a train coming down a mountain.
Sky Watch
Thursday, June 6 at 7pm
We’ll kick-off the Summer Reading Program with an indoor sky presentation with the New Hampshire Astronomical Society from 7-8 PM (regardless of sky conditions), followed by observing the night sky with a telescope, weather permitting. Come see the crescent moon up close!
Friends’ Annual Book Sale
Saturday, June 8, 8 am-2pm
The Great New England Sea Serpent
Tuesday, June 11th at 6pm
An enormous creature has been lurking off the coast of New England for centuries–at least according to numerous accounts. It has been seen by Native Americans, ship captains, clergymen, government officials, and residents of seacoast villages. Are these stories believable? Is this mammoth sea monster fact or fable? Were these witnesses lying or were they mistaken in what they saw? Or were they really seeing some still unidentified giant snake-like sea animal?
Michael Faiella will examine the legend and reality of the great New England sea serpent, the Gloucester Sea Serpent. Michael is a retired public school history teacher. He grew up on an island where the creature was spotted (according to Scientific American) in the 19th century. He and his wife tend a garden and chickens at their Northwood home, their three children having flown the coop.
Candia Honey with Reggie Henshaw
Thursday, June 13th at 6pm
Local beekeeper Reggie Henshaw will speak about his experiences raising healthy bees and making honey.
HOW-TO’s
How to Beekeeping
With local beekeepers
Tuesday May 14th at 6:00pm
Our hope is to educate folks about honey bees, native pollinators and pollinator friendly gardens.
How to: eBay Selling Basics 101
Wednesday, June 12th at 6pm
This class teaches you the basics of selling on ebay. Learn how to create a professional listing. From research to shipping. A fantastic way to earn extra income. For the selling hobbyist or the serious entrepreneur.
Everyone that attends class has a chance to win class raffle!
About your teacher: Robbin Levin, eBay Community Influencer, trained and certified by eBay University over 8 years ago as an eBay Education Coach, bringing current & continued education for online selling on eBay and beyond.
Organizer of The New England eBay & eCommerce Sellers Group, available for anyone to join on Meetup.com
Just follow this link:
https://www.meetup.com/New-England-ebay-Sellers-Group/
If you have a special talent you’d like to share, please see Heidi at the front desk
Check out our monthly calendar on our website for all our events and programs.
New!!!
TRY OUT NEW: KANOPY
WE ARE THRILLED TO PRESENT OUR NEW FILM STREAMING SERVICE
Started in February, Smyth Library Patrons Will Have Access to Kanopy featuring more than 30,000 Films, For Free!
Library card holders can access Kanopy and view up to four films per month. Films can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV, Chromecast or Roku.
With the motto of “thoughtful entertainment,” Kanopy provides patrons with access to films of unique social and cultural value; films that are often difficult or impossible to access elsewhere, and programming that features diversity, with a wide array of foreign language films and films on race, and current affairs.
TRY IT AND DOWNLOAD NOW AT: smythpl.kanopy.com
New on our shelves…
New Fiction…
Minaret Aboulela, Leila,
Daughter of fortune: a novel Allende, Isabel
Redemption Baldacci, David
The better sister: a novel Burke, Alafair
The eighth sister Dugoni, Robert
The book of dreams: a novel George, Nina,
The year Marjorie Moore learned to live: a novel
Who slays the wicked: a Sebastian St. Cyr mystery Harris, C. S.
The A list: an Ali Reynolds mystery Jance, Judith A.
Lost roses: a novel Kelly, Martha Hall
Metropolis: a Bernie Gunther novel Kerr, Philip
Two weeks: a novel Kingsbury, Karen
The favorite sister: a novel Knoll, Jessica.
The night manager: a novel Le Carré, John
The done thing Manaster, Tracy,
The invited: a novel McMahon, Jennifer
The book of fate Meltzer, Brad
The Damascus Road: a novel of Saint Paul Parini, Jay
The 13-minute murder: thrillers Patterson, James
The 18th abduction Patterson, James
Triple jeopardy Perry, Anne
A Baker Street wedding Robertson, Michael
Miss Julia takes the wheel Ross, Ann B
Neon prey Sandford, John
Someone knows Scottoline, Lisa
The daughter Shemilt, Jane,
King of kings Smith, Wilbur A.,
Confessor Goodkind, Terry
The night crossing Masello, Robert
The bone season Shannon, Samantha
“Everyone should be able to do one card trick, tell two jokes, and recite three poems, in case they are ever trapped in an elevator.”
~ Lemony Snicket, Horseradish
New Non-Fiction…
Special heart: a journey of faith, hope, courage, and love Baier, Bret
The path made clear: discovering you life’s direction and purpose Winfrey, Oprah,
The ministry of ordinary places: waking up to God’s goodness around you
Martin, Shannan,
The second mountain: the quest for a moral life Brooks, David
The trial of Lizzie Borden: a true story Robertson, Cara
Soldier dogs: the untold story of America’s canine heroes Goodavage, Maria
The year we disappeared: a father-daughter memoir Busby, Cylin
Five presidents: my extraordinary journey with Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford Hill, Clint
Freedom’s detective: the Secret Service, the Ku Klux Klan and the man who masterminded America’s first war on terror Lane, Charles,
Love your enemies: how decent people can save America from our culture of contempt Brooks, Arthur C.,
Ancient places: people and landscape in the emerging Northwest Nisbet, Jack
Patterns of the Earth Edmaier, Bernhard.
The hidden life of dogs Thomas, Elizabeth Marshall
The longevity paradox: how to die young at a ripe old age Gundry, Steven R.,
The Women’s Health big book of exercises: four weeks to a leaner, sexier, healthier you! Campbell, Adam
Clean slate: a cookbook and guide : reset your health, detox your body, and feel your best
Second-chance dogs: true stories of the dogs we rescue and the dogs who rescue us Grant, Callie Smith,
The 5 love languages of children: the secret to loving children effectively
Chapman, Gary D.,
Capital Gaines: smart things I learned doing stupid stuff Gaines, Chip,
Lights, camera, magic!: the making of Fantastic Beasts : the Crimes of Grindelwald Nathan, Ian,
The archive of magic: the film wizardry of Fantastic beasts: the crimes of Grindelwald Bergstrom, Signe,
The crown: the official companion — Volume 1, — Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and the making of a young queen, (1947-1955) / Lacey, Robert
Solo: memoir of Hope Solo, Hope,
Cloudbuster Nine: the untold story of Ted Williams and the baseball team that helped win World War II Keene, Anne R.,
Love poems: (for married people) Kenney, John
D-Day girls: the spies who armed the resistance, sabotaged the Nazis, and helped win World War II Crown, Sarah Rose.
A woman of no importance: the untold story of the American spy who helped win World War II Purnell, Sonia,
Paris was ours: thirty-two writers reflect on the city of light
The king and the cowboy: Theodore Roosevelt and Edward the Seventh : secret partners Fromkin, David
New Books on CD…
Redemption CD (10) Baldacci, David
Terminal freeze CD (9) Child, Lincoln
Run away CD (8) Coben, Harlan
The last second CD (10) Coulter, Catherine
History of the ancient world: a global perspective GC CD (24) Aldrete, Gregory S.
The A list: an Ali Reynolds mystery CD (10) Jance, Judith A.
Two weeks CD (8): a novel Kingsbury, Karen
The 13-minute murder: thrillers CD (8) Patterson, James
The 18th abduction CD (7) Patterson, James
Neon prey CD (9) Sandford, John
Someone knows CD (10) Scottoline, Lisa
New Video…
Bambi DVD 001A [G]
Bambi II DVD 002A [G]
The little mermaid DVD 003A [G]
Dumbo DVD 004A [G]
Curious George DVD 005A [G]
Dr. Seuss Green eggs and ham and other stories DVD 007A [G]
Horton hears a Who! DVD 008A [G]
The great escape DVD 009C [PG]
Grease DVD 010C [PG]
Space buddies DVD 012 [G]
Snow buddies DVD 013 [G]
Alfred Hitchcock’s rear window DVD 014C [PG]
Bumblebee DVD 1170 [PG13]
A dog’s way home DVD 1171 [PG]
Let there be light DVD 1172 [PG13]
The mule DVD 1173 [R]
Eighth grade DVD 1174 [R]
Mary Poppins returns DVD 1175 [PG]
The decisive battles of world history GC DVD (6) Aldrete, Gregory S.
The Origin of civilization GC DVD (6)
Addiction DVD NF 362.29
Spider-man DVD SPI 4 [PG13] — Homecoming
An oxymoron walked into a bar. There was deafening silence.
Friends In-House Book Sale!
You can browse at your leisure now and bring home a favorite to keep or to give away to a friend. Just look for the bright signs just inside our main doors on the left. Pay at the front desk. Only… $1 for hardcover and $.50 for paperbacks. Proceeds go to the Friends of Smyth Library. See the new “Blind Date with a Book” Sale and $1 Cookbook magazines available.
YOU ARE INVITED~ More Friends welcomed! Would you like to help the library? Then please consider becoming a Friend! See Heidi or Ginny for more information!
Tip from the front desk
More science illustrating the power of reading!
Kids Whose Parents Read to Them Understand Up to 1.4 Million More Words
Parents who take time to read aloud to their children are doing them a huge favor. Not only is it a memorable bonding activity, but it’s also a way to jump-start a child’s education and put them on the fast track to literacy.
According to Jessica Logan, from Ohio State University, where she is an assistant professor of educational studies, kids who are read one short book per day enter kindergarten knowing 290,000 more words than kids whose parents didn’t read to them. If you increase the number of books to five per day, that vocabulary disparity swells to 1.4 million words.
Logan calls it the “million word gap,” and she believes it could help explain why vocabulary and reading ability vary so greatly from one 5-year-old to the next. ” Kids who hear more vocabulary words are going to be better prepared to see those words in print when they enter school. They are likely to pick up reading skills more quickly and easily.”
Children’s books in particular are a great method of teaching vocabulary, researchers found, because they introduce words that are unlikely to come up in everyday conversation.
This is the latest study to confirm the benefits of reading —not to mention the benefits of forming healthy reading habits at an early age. A study from last year revealed that people who grow up in homes full of books (especially 80-plus books) tend to have higher reading comprehension rates and better mathematical and digital communication skills.
Excerpt by Emily Petsko (April 8, 2019)
With this motivation in mind remember Smyth Public Library is here to help you discover wonderful books, access them instantly, and spread millions of words to your children to foster in them a reading passion to last a lifetime.
AND Summer Reading Program is right around the corner!
-Heidi Deacon, Director
Coloring night for all ages, all supplies provided, Fridays 6-7 pm
Try out our new “Volunteer Your World” ideas at Smyth Public Library. Visit our Volunteer Your World Page
Writers’ group
On the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month, 6:30pm
The Smyth Public Library hosts a gathering of writers once or twice a month where we work together on timed writing exercises using prompts and other sources of inspiration. The writing periods will be followed by sharing some of the work with each other. The goal of the group is to loosen up and get the pen moving on paper. We don’t seek to have a finished work by the end of the session and you don’t need to arrive with a finished piece of writing to share. The writer’s group is a place to meet with other writers and to flex your writing muscles. Please come ready with a writing medium of your choice: paper and pen/pencil, computer, tablet, etc.
Drop In Family Game Nights!!
First Friday of every month at 6:30
Knitting & Crochet Circle
Help with the cap, blanket, and scarf charity project, work on your own items, or just come to learn. Call Lisa 587-0603 for more info.
Third Thursday of the month, 6:30pm
Monthly Lego Night!
EVERY third Friday 6:30-7:30 for all ages.
MAGIC GAME CLUB
Featuring : Magic-The Gathering
Held monthly on the First Wednesday of the month at 4 pm!
For ages 8 and up! Last meeting-June 5
Family Movie Night
Friday, May 24, 6:00 p.m.
“How to Train Your Dragon:
The Hidden World”rated PG
Did you Know???
The word for the inside of the elbow is “chelidon”.
In theGallery…
CURRENTLY FEATURED
Grid Portraits by Students from Moore School
ART WANTED!!!
Our art gallery and (locked) glass case is always available for the works of local artists. Just see Heidi at the front desk to display your works
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
Brought to you by the Friends of the Smyth Public Library
The Little Free Library is up and running at the CYAA complex – anyone can take advantage!
LOVE TO SHARE A GOOD BOOK?
Now! 2 groups! 2 times!
How about sharing your thoughts on a book at the friendly monthly book discussion group?
T
Thursday, May 23, 11:00 a.m.
Providence
By Caroline Kepnes
“Best friends in small-town New Hampshire, Jon and Chloe share an intense, near-mystical bond. But before Jon can declare his love for his soul mate, he is kidnapped, and his plans for a normal life are permanently dashed. Four years later, Jon reappears. He is different now: bigger, stronger, and with no memory of the time he was gone.”
Extra titles of this book are available at the front desk
Thursday, May 23rd at 7:30 pm
Miss Burma
by Charmaine Craig
“A beautiful and poignant story of one family during the most violent and turbulent years of world history, Miss Burma is a powerful novel of love and war, colonialism and ethnicity, and the ties of blood.”.
*Extra titles of this book are available at the front desk
Library Assets…
SERVICE FOR HOMEBOUND PATRONS:
Smyth Public Library is now offering home delivery of library materials for any Candia community residents in need. Please contact us for a registration form for this service or use the link to a form to fill out on our website.
The library is proud to now offer The Healing Library; reading kits to aid with coping with difficult situations. We offer The Death of a Loved One, The Death of a Pet, plus Alzheimer’s & Your Family. These are located in the children’s room, along with books relating to each topic. The kits are available now for check out.
STILL HERE!:
Digital Movies, Music and More –Instantly Available –24/7 –Free with your Library Card!
Movies, TV,Music Albums, eAudiobooks , eBooks, and Comics/Graphic Novels. All in one location, from your computer, tablet or Smartphone!
With hoopla, there are no hold lists, no extra apps or accounts needed or special steps to use it.
It just works! On a mobile device, borrowed content may be temporarily downloaded and accessed offline or, in either the app or on a computer, all borrowed content may be enjoyed while connected to the internet by streaming.
Don’t forget – you can always borrow our internet hot spot, telescope and newly offered Ukulele and a dozen baking pans!
Making Your Life Easy:
By going to our website, you can search our entire catalogue for books, CD’s, DVD’s and movies. Once found, you can check to see if what you want is in. If so, just to our website and reserve the book. The next time you come in, it will be waiting for you at the front desk. WITH OUR NEW WEBSITE YOU CAN DO IT WITH YOUR MOBILE DEVICE!
PLUS!! Check out our smythpl.org website updates and Smyth Library’s Public Catalog featuring:
– A crawl of new items.
– “What’s Hot” now covers several choices.
-“Most Popular” titles (a combination of checkouts and reserves are used to determine this list).
– “More Search Options” includes Medium that lets members search by DVD or Large Print, etc.
More Research Options:
Full text articles from thousands of magazines, journals and national newspapers, plus NoveList. Call or e-mail us and provide your name and your library card number, and we’ll give you the password.
Smyth Library has available:
The Candia Heritage Commission is pleased to announce the acquisition of a valuable historical resource, bound volumes of the Rockingham County News encompassing the years 1978-1998. A two week loan of a volume can be arranged by contacting Sis Richter 483-2585, president of the Historical Society or Diane Philbrick 483-8239, chair of the Heritage Commission.
Also, still available: 2019 Candia Conservation Calendars-Local scenery featured by Candia’s own talented photographers. ($5 to the Candia Conservation Commission-all proceeds go toward sending a Candia student to Barry Conservation camp)
We’re on Facebook!
Like the Smyth Public Library
Look at our page on Facebook for events and updates about our library!
Downloadable Books!!!!
Ipods and Kindles work and you can
Order right from our website!
PASSES….PASSES….PASSES
Check our website for passes!!!All are listed in the “museum passes” tab of the website and can be reserved there.
Kids’ Stuff…
Check out our monthly calendar for children on the children’s tab on our website.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
NEW CCC KIDS! Mrs. Lindsey’s Candia Conservation Commission KIDS!
Now offering TWO classes!
Do you love nature? Animals? The forests and the ponds? Join Mrs. Lindsey for her new nature club! Class is FULL! (Waiting list sign-ups only!)
- Monthly 1st and 2nd Mondays 3-4:30 pm
- Meet in the Moore School lobby
- Take walks in nature to discover plants, animals and more
- Create art projects based on the environment
- Come dressed and prepared to go outside in all kinds of weather!
Book Clubs!
Magic Tree House Book Club (K-2)-Third Thursday 3pm; Meeting: May 16
Reading Good Morning, Gorillas by Mary Pope Osborne
NEW Cupcake Book Club – Wednesday, June 5; 3pm
Reading Katie and the cupcake cure by Coco Simon
NEW Comic Book Club – Wednesday, May 8; 3:30pm
Reading the Graphic Novel: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
STEM Club (K-3) Combined Math and Science
Second and Fourth Thursday 3pm; Meeting: May 24
Art Club (K-5)
First Thursday 3pm -May 2
FOR TEENS!!
Teen Book Club-Wednesday, May 15 @ 4pm
May title: Black Hammer by Jeff Lemire
Teen Creative Club-Wednesday, May 22 @ 4pm
Baby—Preschool children-
Stories, games, crafts, music, puppets
During Thursday Story Time 10 a.m.
NOW presenting two Storytimes:
Thursdays, 10 am with Jessica
Thursdays, 6 pm with Maryjo
Preschoolers and babies welcomed
Read to Simon, Gwen Paprocki’s Certified Therapy dog.
Want to boost reading confidence?
Why is reading to a dog educational AND fun? Because Simon is soft, furry and warm and he loves the attention you give him when you practice your reading out-loud skills! In the Children’s Library Room ~ one-on-one with Ms. Gwen and Simon present. (Simon and Gwen Paprocki are certified through Therapy Dogs International)
Please sign up if interested. Call Gwen for more info at 483-8245
FUTURE ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS!!
Second Friday, 6:00 p.m.
We break out our snap circuits! Build exciting projects including computer interfaced experiments and solar cell applications. Build over 175 exciting projects now with lights. All new kits and all ages welcome! Check our Facebook page for some cool snap circuit projects.
1000 BOOKS before Kindergarten
Personal memory registers and book bags are available for parents.
New books for children…
It’s Father’s Day! Spalding, Maddie,
Fishing for numbers: a Maine number book Reynolds, Cynthia Furlong.
Primary numbers: a New Hampshire number book Harris, Marie
Pete the Cat — Valentine’s Day is cool / Dean, Kim,
Family reunion Hobbs, Lois Zortman.
Grandma and me: a kid’s guide for Alzheimer’s and dementia Tauber Prior, Beatrice,
A kite for Moon Yolen, Jane
Detective Chase McCain: save that cargo! King, Trey,
LEGO Coast Guard to the rescue Landers, Ace
LEGO Star Wars — The force awakens / Schaefer, Elizabeth
Scholastic’s The magic school bus sees stars: a book about stars White, Nancy,
New books for juni ors…
The wizenard series: training camp Bryant, Kobe.
The adventures of Vin Fiz Cussler, Clive
The apprentice’s quest — 1 — A Vision of Shadows Hunter, Erin
Darkest night — 4 — A Vision of Shadows Hunter, Erin
Shattered sky — 3 — A Vision of Shadows Hunter, Erin
Thunder and shadow — 2 — A Vision of Shadows Hunter, Erin
Lost tales of Ga’Hoole Huang, Kathryn.
The burning — 6 — Guardians of ga’hoole Lasky, Kathryn
Frost wolf — 4 Lasky, Kathryn
The hatchling — 7 — Guardians of ga’hoole Lasky, Kathryn
Lone wolf — 1 Lasky, Kathryn
The outcast — 8 — Guardians of ga’hoole Lasky, Kathryn
The rise of a legend Lasky, Kathryn
Shadow wolf — 2 Lasky, Kathryn
Spirit wolf — 5 Lasky, Kathryn
Star wolf — 6 Lasky, Kathryn
Watch wolf — 3 Lasky, Kathryn
Indian captive: the story of Mary Jemison Lenski, Lois
The ship of the dead Riordan, Rick
Challenger deep Shusterman, Neal
From the Junior Shelves~
The Ship of the Dead
(Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
by Rick Riordan (Goodreads Author)
Magnus Chase, son of Frey, the god of summer and health, isn’t naturally inclined toward being a brave warrior. Still, with the help of his motley group of friends, he has achieved deeds he never would have thought possible. Now he faces his most dangerous trial yet.
Loki is free from his chains. He’s readying Naglfar, the Ship of the Dead, complete with a host of giants and zombies, to sail against the Asgardian gods and begin the final battle of Ragnarok. It’s up to Magnus and his friends to stop him, but to do so they will have to sail across the oceans of Midgard, Jotunheim, and Niflheim in a desperate race to reach Naglfar before it’s ready to sail. Along the way, they will face angry sea gods, hostile giants, and an evil fire-breathing dragon. But Magnus’s biggest challenge will be facing his own inner demons. Does he have what it takes to outwit the wily trickster god?
Goodreads
New books for young adults…
What if it’s us Albertalli, Becky
The king slayer: a sequel to The witch hunter Boecker, Virginia.
The witch hunter Boecker, Virginia.
The sword and the dagger Cochran, Robert,
99 days Cotugno, Katie,
Freshmen Ellen, Tom,
Rule Goodlett, Ellen,
The summer of broken things Haddix, Margaret Peterson
Letters to the lost Kemmerer, Brigid
Olivia Twist Langdon, Lorie,
A court of thorns and roses Maas, Sarah J
Ignite me Mafi, Tahereh
Unravel me Mafi, Tahereh
How it went down Magoon, Kekla
Since you’ve been gone Matson, Morgan.
Jango Nicholson, William
Noman Nicholson, William
Seeker Nicholson, William
Birthmarked O’Brien, Caragh M
The shadow queen Redwine, C. J
As you wish Sedoti, Chelsea,
Mindwalker Steiger, A. J.,
The dangerous art of blending in Surmelis, Angelo,
Because you’ll never meet me Thomas, Leah,
Slayer White, Kiersten
Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee Zentner, Jeff
What’s left of me: the hybrid chronicles Zhang, Kat
From the Young Adult Shelves~
Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee
by Jeff Zentner (Goodreads Author)
A contemporary novel about two best friends who must make tough decisions about their futures–and the TV show they host–in their senior year of high school.
Every Friday night, best friends Delia and Josie become Rayne Ravenscroft and Delilah Darkwood, hosts of the campy creature feature show Midnite Matinee on the local cable station TV Six.
But with the end of senior year quickly approaching, the girls face tough decisions about their futures. Josie has been dreading graduation, as she tries to decide whether to leave for a big university and chase her dream career in mainstream TV. And Lawson, one of the show’s guest performers, a talented MMA fighter with weaknesses for pancakes, fantasy novels, and Josie, is making her tough decision even harder.
Scary movies are the last connection Delia has to her dad, who abandoned the family years ago. If Midnite Matinee becomes a hit, maybe he’ll see it and want to be a part of her life again. And maybe Josie will stay with the show instead of leaving her behind, too.
As the tug-of-war between growing up and growing apart tests the bonds of their friendship, Josie and Delia start to realize that an uncertain future can be both monstrous…and momentous. Goodreads
Trivia Time!
Every month we ask a trivia question. If you know the answer, drop it off at the front desk or e-mail it here. We will randomly select the winner from the correct answers and the WINNERwill win ONE FREE WEEK of OVERDUE FINE AMNESTY ON ONE BOOK
Last month’s question and answer:
- What Tennessee Williams play has characters named Big Daddy and Big Mama?
- “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”, by Tennessee Williams.
No Winner
This Month’s Trivia Question:
What novel ends with: “It is a far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known”?
From the New and Recent Shelves~
We (being I) are always looking for contributors to this reviews section. The editor has a limited range of taste, so any reviews would be more than welcomed. Just e-mail them in reply to this, or to librarian@smythpl.org
I admit to a rather limited taste in reading materials. I generally eschew science fiction, fantasy and what are euphemistically referred to as “chic books”. I realize this is a deficiency in not only me, but the “From the New and Recent Shelves” section of “The Smythie”.
I may therefore resort to pilfering reviews from Goodreads.com for a book at times to widen the breadth of this service. I’d much rather have a contributing reviewer (or twelve). If you’ve read a book you’ve loved, please shoot me a review so we can enjoy a more personal perspective.
Fiction…cozy mystery…
A “cozy mystery” is a subgenre with warm characters, perhaps some humor, little blood, guts or swearing and, of course, preferably a good plot.
Spencer Quinn’s To Fetch a Thief checks all those boxes. It is the third in the Chet and Bernie mysteries. Chet is a dog of unknown breed who is over one hundred pounds and who, for some unknown reason, flunked out of K9 police academy on the last day before graduation after being the valedictorian of his class. Oh, by the way, Chet is also the narrator.
Thus, the reader gets to see the awkward successes of the Little Detective Agency whose only member is Chet’s owner, Bernie Little from the dog’s point of view.
This is a fun book that does not denigrate to being overly cutesy. This mystery is light reading with a good plot and resolution by the dog and human team.
More Fiction…
The Life and Times of Persimmon Wilson by Nancy Peacock is set in
1875: Drunken Bride, Texas. An ex-slave named Persimmon Wilson awaits his hanging for the murder of the man who once owned him. As he waits, he pens his story. The journey of Persimmon Wilson takes the reader from the brutality of slavery on a Louisiana sugar plantation to a ranch on the Texas frontier to life among the Comanche Indians. All through his travels, Persimmon Wilson seeks the one person he loves, a light-skinned house slave named Chloe. When he finds her, she is passing for white and is the wife of their former master. This is a rip-roaring, old-fashioned adventure romance. It is also a serious examination of assumptions about identity and truth. Goodreads
Novel based on real New England mysteries and landmarks…
Cabal of the Westford Knight is the first in a series for author and “Boston Globe” columnist David Brody. For New Englanders, the account of the true artifacts from pre-Columbus America is fascinating. So is most of the yarn Mr. Brody etched about their relationship to the Knights Templar. The writing exposed Mr. Brody as primarily a non-fiction writer, however. The plot was boiler-plate. Super-smart amateur teamed with beautiful woman, etc. to beat the professionals at their game. I also thought the historical plot got away from him, too. The end went into a needless unlikely(ier) direction. But for those of us in New England, the artifacts, explanations and some conjecture, complete with pictures, is fascinating. They even include some in New Hampshire.
Ever want to be one of those know-it-all reviewers?
Got a book to recommend?
Want to write a blurb?
Have a child with a favorite book who would like to contribute to the Smythie?
We welcome contributors (less for us to write!), especially children and teens to review and recommend favorite books. Just drop Heidi Deacon an e-mail at librarian@smythpl.org or “reply” to this and we’ll include it here. It need not be a new book – it can be a golden oldie, a classic, a trashy beach book or whatever you have enjoyed.
I hope you have enjoyed this edition. Comments, suggestions and, of course, reviews are always welcomed.
Rick Mitchell and the library staff
The Smythie is now over 700 subscribers strong!!
But… We may not be for everyone. If you do not want to be on this e-mail list, just reply and tell us to remove your name.