Tulsa
event guide
INSIDE!
Book Review 2 7 11
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 12
F R E E
NEW AND OF INTEREST
C H E C K
Food Blogging for Dummies
Perfect resource for food bloggers Page 4
The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D.: A Novel
I T
How well do you know your best friend? Page 7
O U T
Along Came a Duke: Rhymes With Love Unforgettable! Page 9
Ungifted
The Prisoner of Heaven By Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Harper, $25.99, 320 pages
14
October 2012
Fermín Romero de Torres has managed to put his dark and painful past behind him and move on with a quiet, happy life with his friends the Semperes, who run a used bookstore in Barcelona, and his fiancee, Bernarda. But one day a man walks into the bookshop and brings the past rushing back, colliding with the present. Fermín had tried to protect Daniel Sempere from the full story of what he went through during the days of the Spanish Civil War, including his time in prison. But he now tells the young man everything, including information that directly relates to Daniel’s own history, and Daniel must make
a choice about how he will handle what he has learned. Zafon tells readers that this third book in the “cycle of novels set in the literary universe of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books” is, like the previous two books, “an independent, self-contained tale.” Since I have read the other two, I must disagree. Readers would miss out on meaning in this book if they read it first. This is also the shortest and weakest of the series, standing alone. But readers who have enjoyed Zafon’s other masterful tales will appreciate the information he supplies in this book. Reviewed by Cathy Carmode Lim
Don’t try this at home! Page 11
Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture Where Excel meets Excelsior Page 15
50 Reviews INSIDE!
Book Reviews
vastly amusing when our heroine turns out to be the Annie Oakley of IRS Agents. She’s one of an elite team of dedicated government employees taking up arms against a potentially corrupt mega-church pastor who thinks he need never pay tax. There are also a few Libertarians who have asserted their independence and created their own sovereign patch of Texas. Put these scofflaws together and you’ve got yourself a tag team aiming to avoid handing over a cent in taxes to the government. Fortunately our heroine is not afraid to bend the rules of the land in pursuit of criminals, while debating how the rules of courtship should work when choices have to be made. I strongly recommend this as the first genuinely funny Romance with thriller overtones I can remember reading. Reviewed by David Marshall
Category
Mystery SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
The Formula for Murder By Carol McCleary Tor Forge, $24.99, 336 pages Check this out! Nellie Bly, fearless reporter, is back to solve another mystery in the third book of the series from Carol McCleary. This time she is off to London to identify the body of a fellow reporter who the police say committed suicide. Nellie takes the loss hard, she mentored Hailey McGuire and can’t help but feel responsible for her death. Was it suicide? There was a note in Hailey’s handwriting, but things just aren’t adding up and Nellie smells a story. Soon she is on the trail of a doctor who claims to have found his own version of the fountain of youth, and bodies are dropping like flies. H.G. Wells, a teacher at the time, makes her acquaintance and proceeds to expand her thinking while helping her to unravel the puzzle. While The Formula for Murder is part of a series, it stands fine on it’s own as a rollicking historical mystery with appearances from a cast of real life characters. Oscar Wilde makes an appearance, and Nellie is introduced to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. One can’t help but cheer Nellie on and take great pride while she outwits the scientists that have let their experiments cross the line from helping people, to madness in the wilds of Dartmoor. Reviewed by Gwen Stackler No Sale By Patrick Conrad, Jonathan Lynn (translator) Bitter Lemon Press, $14.95, 326 pages Check this out! Growing up as kids together, Methuselah and I spent hours in the cinema, largely watching what we now call the noir movies of the 1940s and 50s. So coming to a book
like No Sale by Patrick Conrad is to be transported back in time to memories I treasure. This is a superb police procedural or mystery as we watch the investigation slowly link apparently random deaths into the work of a serial killer. Why is this so difficult? Because the killer is recreating some of the scenes from old movies or from the lives of actors who were prominent in Hollywood. It takes an expert in movie history like Victor Cox to begin to notice similarities. He’s involved because his wife is killed in a hit-and-run and her body thrown into one of the docks. Except the good professor’s memory seems less than reliable. Could it be? Dare we imagine that he’s the mastermind? This is a wonderful mystery, beautifully exploiting the device of the unreliable narrator as we watch a part of the action through our expert’s eyes. It’s an unbeatable combination of old movies and a modern mystery in an award-winning package. Reviewed by David Marshall Death, Taxes, and Extra-Hold Hairspray: A Tara Holloway Novel By Diane Kelly St. Martin’s Press, $7.99, 352 pages Check this out! Over the years, I’ve occasionally read what’s politely labeled Romance. For the record, romantic fiction scoops up the largest market share for any genre. So I approach Romance inexperienced but not a virgin. Yet Death, Taxes, and Extra-Strength Hold Hairspray by Diane Kelly took me by surprise. It’s not only emotionally honest in the way our heroine finds herself torn between two men, but also
The Caller: An Inspector Sejer Mystery By Karin Fossum, Kyle Semmel (translator) Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $25.00, 256 pages Check this out! Thoughtful, nowgraying Inspector Konrad Sejer and his colleague Skarre return in this classic Karin Fossum mystery, an exploration of the outer reaches of normative human behavior in a small village in Norway. Not since a Norwegian businessman’s mail-order bride from India was murdered (in The Indian Bride) has Fossum woven a tale with such psychological subtlety and intriguing plot twists. The Caller begins when a prankster sets off a series of sinister events—a baby in a pram covered in blood, but not otherwise injured; an obituary printed in the paper for an old woman still very much alive; a painfully disabled, wheelchair-bound man forced to watch as a hearse arrives at his front door; a ten-year-old girl’s waist-length plait of red hair rudely cut—and when chance and fate intervene, more troubling events follow. Each time, the perpetrator shows up at the scene. Very soon we know who he is, and it is a testament to Fossum’s storytelling genius that he somehow still manages to illicit our sympathy. The sub-story of how the prankster arrived at these particularly nasty calls for help is as fascinating as the story of how Sejer and Skarre track him down. Even then, there are mysteries yet to unravel. Reviewed by Zara Raab Don’t Ever Get Old By Daniel Friedman Minotaur Books, $13.58, 304 pages Check this out! Meet Buck Schatz who, as a young American soldier at the end of World War II, gets captured. When the Nazis work out that he’s Jewish he is in for some serious pain. Now, picture him as an eighty-seven year old, excop who discovers that the Nazi responsible for his mistreatment may still be alive. Less
Tulsa Book Review • October 2012 • 2
important, naturally, is the fact that this Nazi may be sitting on a cache of gold. So, like an elderly Dirty Harry, is he out for revenge? Will the chance to collect the gold be further motivation? Well, Don’t Ever Get Old by Daniel Friedman answers these questions as our geriatric, wise-cracking, gun-toting, ex-cop takes on the challenge, and with the help of his grandson, sets off on a goose chase that turns wild and stirs up a hornets nest. This is something of a rarity: a revenge novel involving a Jewish victim and an ex-Nazi, it’s peppered with one-liners and laced with dark humor about the greed and viciousness that has made humanity what it is today. Don’t Ever Get Old is a remarkably entertaining thriller that proves the old can be just as tough as the young. Reviewed by David Marshall The Houdini Specter: A Harry Houdini Mystery By Daniel Stashower Titan Books, $12.95, 256 pages Check this out! This book is a historical mystery set at the end of the nineteenth century and featuring the Houdini brothers, Harry and Dash, with the former’s wife, Bess, appearing in a supporting role. This gives us several quite different points of interest. First, we can observe the entertainment industry of more than a hundred years ago. Second, we learn something about how different tricks are performed. And then comes the puzzle which is the ultimate locked-room mystery. Eight people are locked in a room holding hands around a table for a séance. The lights go down and one of the men around the table is murdered when a ghost appears. The solution explaining how all the effects were produced during the séance is historically fascinating. I’ll say no more than that it had me Googling with enthusiasm to see whether it was real. That the answer to a mystery novel should have had this effect on an old pro like me should tell you something about the quality of the puzzle and its solution. It has all the qualities of surprise and wonder you might associate with the original Harry Houdini. Reviewed by David Marshall
Tulsa
Book Review
IN THIS ISSUE Mystery..........................................................2
Tulsa City-County Library 400 Civic Center Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 Ph. (918) 549-7323 EDITOR IN CHIEF Ross Rojek ross@1776productions.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT
Cookbooks......................................................4 Home, Garden & DIY......................................5 Mind & Body Fitness.......................................5 Fiction......................................................6 & 7
Grayson Hjaltalin grayson.hjaltalin@1776productions.com
COPY EDITORS Lori Freeze Diane Jinson Lori Miller Robyn Oxborrow Holly Scudero Kim Winterheimer
History & Current Events...............................8 Romance.........................................................9 Picture Books...............................................10 Kids Books....................................................10
FROM THE PUBLISHER Tulsa City-County Library has some author visits coming up over the next three months, including the following appearances: Carrie Ryan to headline Zombie Prom
In celebration of Teen Read Month, The New York Times best-selling author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth series will headline Tulsa City-County Library’s “Zombie Prom” on Oct. 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Helmerich Library, 5131 E. 91st St. The program is sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust and the Friends of the Helmerich Library. Books to Treasure to feature Mo Willems Mo Willems is the featured author/illustrator for the 10th annual Books to Treasure event on Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. at Central Library, Fourth Street and Denver Avenue. As a part of Books to Treasure, every second-grader in Tulsa County will receive a free copy of Willems’ Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator! Books to Treasure is sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust through a grant from the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation. Holland Hall is co-sponsoring this year’s event. Wendell Berry to receive Helmerich award
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Shanyn Day Christopher Hayden Erin McDonough Lisa Rodgers Justin Salazar-Stewart Elizabeth Tropp
Teen Scene....................................................11
WEBSITE TulsaBookReview.com
Science Fiction..............................................13
DISTRIBUTED BY Urban Tulsa Weekly The Tulsa Book Review is published monthly by 1776 Productions, LLC. The opinions expressed in these pages are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Tulsa Book Review or 1776 Productions advertisers. All images are copyrighted by their respective copyright holders. All words ©2012, LLC.
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Tween Reads.................................................11 Fantasy.........................................................12
Biography & Memoir.................................... 14 Popular Culture............................................15
Legendary farmer and author Wendell Berry will receive the Tulsa Library Trust’s 2012 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award on Friday, Dec. 7 and give a free public presentation at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8 at Central Library. The 78-year-old Kentuckian, who gave the 2012 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities, has established himself as a principled presence in American letters, as well as an outspoken critic of industrialized farming. His novels include Nathan Coulter, Jayber Crow, Andy Catlett: Early Travels and Hannah Coulter, which is the focus of the community-wide reading initiative “One Book, One Tulsa,” exploring food, health, gardening and sustainability. Meet a favorite author, get inspired by their life and works, plus have your books signed. Happy reading! Best regards,
Nature & Science...........................................15 Hispanic Heritage Month.............................16
Gary Shaffer Tulsa City-County Library CEO
Category
Cookbooks SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
Preserving: The Canning and Freezing Guide for All Seasons By Pat Crocker William Morrow, $30.00, 541 pages Pat Crocker’s achievements vis-à-vis food journalism are so extensive they would cost most of my available words. So leave it at the fact that the sheer professionalism and scope of this won- derful kitchen reference comes as no surprise. There are: 140 recipes for preserves, and 200 recipes for pickles, chutneys, jams, sauces, curds, and relishes. And most intriguingly, many of those come with USES. That is unusual, and sparks ideas to tackle preservation tasks that one might not otherwise undertake. Entertaining a select group of friends and want a cordial? Find garlic scapes at the farmers’ market? This extension of your culinary response range could be life changing. I always look at food preparation books for adaptability to low carb diets. I can’t help it; I love to eat and to keep living. Pat Crocker has addressed the use of unsweetened apple or grape or pineapple juice in place of sugar syrups. Frabjous!! Sources/resources, preserving equipment and supplies, and bibliography almost alone justify the price. Preserving should be a core reference for every American kitchen. Its water (and syrup) shedding cover and fine leaves should keep it readable for a couple of generations of preservers. Reviewed by David Lloyd Sutton The Back in the Swing Cookbook: Recipes for Eating and Living Well Every Day After Breast Cancer By Barbara Unell and Judith Fertig Andrews McMeel, $29.99, 261 pages Check this out! Written for women who successfully fought breast cancer, The Back in the Swing Cookbook is useful for anyone recovering from cancer, any major illness, or for anyone wish-ing to live a healthy lifestyle. Though labeled as a cookbook the recipes make up not much more than half of the book; the rest is filled with useful information, stories about breast cancer patients, and numerous helpful tips. These are mostly
related to lifestyle and nutrition following breast cancer treatments. Back in the Swing USA is a national organization created to fill the needs of breast cancer patients physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Authors Unell and Fertig introduce the book with a list of key foods: all healthy ingredients; notably missing cream, butter, refined sugar, and flour. Nevertheless, in the recipes they do use these “unhealthy” ingredients in small amounts. Each recipe gives serving size, preparation and cooking times, and nutritional information. The recipes are simple and nutritious (Chamomile and Apple Peel Tea, for example), for many recipes the prep time is five to fifteen minutes. Numerous quotes, mostly from survivors, many useful sidebars, and other information fill the space between recipes. Beautiful full-page color photo illustrations add to this excellent book. Reviewed by George Erdosh Food Blogging for Dummies By Kelly Senyei Wiley, $24.99, 308 pages Check this out! Whether you are considering establishing your food blog for fun, for sharing recipes, or possibly as an income source, you will have to search hard to find a better resource than Food Blogging for Dummies. Kelly Senyei has written a thorough, very readable, wellillustrated and well-organized book she divided into six major parts, and each she neatly splits into convenient chapters to help you find anything in seconds. She introduced chapters using a few key bullets to let you know what to expect in each. She added numerous examples of blogs throughout the book, illustrated by their home page and often describing their history. She filled the book with numerous useful illustrations: charts, figures, tables, and sidebars. She uses three instantly visible icons next to the text to catch your attention: Tip, Remember, Warning! “Part IV: Eating with Your Eyes” is unexpectedly extensive and it is all about photo illustrations for your blog. Tables such as “Domain Registrars and Pricing” are examples of the thoroughness of this book: she gives you the five major registrars available to you with their pricing. Help in such areas as slideshows, videos, podcasts, and visuals in your blog is excellent. Reviewed by George Erdosh
Tulsa Book Review • October 2012 • 4
F E AT U R I N G
Book Reviews
Join Tulsa County residents in reading this inspiring novel, which follows the life of a small-town woman as she reflects on her rural lifestyle that is giving way to progress in the name of development. Many of the themes covered in the book mirror the challenges faced by rural and urban families today. The author, Wendell Berry, an American writer and farmer, will be in Tulsa Dec. 7 and 8 to receive the Tulsa Library Trust’s Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award. Using “Hannah Coulter” as a conversation starter, this year’s One Book, One Tulsa initiative focuses on food, gardening, health and sustainability with more than 40 free programs scheduled at area libraries throughout the year. One Book, One Tulsa is sponsored the Tulsa Library Trust and Tulsa World.
R E L AT E D L I B R A R Y P R O G R A M M I N G Urban Homesteading Discussion Group Monday, Oct. 1 • 7-8 p.m. • Zarrow Regional Library Adventures in the Kitchen: Fun and Healthy Mexican Snacks Wednesday, Oct. 10 • 6:30-8 p.m. • Martin Regional Library For ages 6 and older Spicing It Up With Whole Foods Market: Latin/Mexican Food Friday, Oct. 12 • 1-3 p.m. • Martin Regional Library Wildlife Habitat Gardening Saturday, Oct. 13 • 11 a.m.-noon • Judy Z. Kishner Library Food, Fun and Stories to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Saturday, Oct. 13 • 1-3 p.m. • South Broken Arrow Library Down the Taco Trail: How Mexican Food Has Changed the Way We Eat in America Saturday, Oct. 13 • 2-3 p.m. • Nathan Hale Library Free Health Screenings Conducted by the Tulsa Health Department Wednesday, Oct. 17 • 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Central Library, Aaronson Auditorium The Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act Explained Wednesday, Oct. 17 • noon-1 p.m. • Central Library, Lecture Room Preregistration is required. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/affordable_care or call 918-549-7430 to register. Books People Are Talking About: Featuring “Hannah Coulter” by Wendell Berry Wednesday, Oct. 17 • 12:15-1:15 p.m. • Helmerich Library Managing Prescription Drug Costs Wednesday, Oct. 17 • 2-3 p.m. • Central Library, Lecture Room Preregistration is required. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/drug_cost or call 918-549-7430 to register. Navigating the Insulin Maze Thursday, Oct. 25 • 3-4 p.m. • Nathan Hale Library
Book Reviews Category
Mind & Body Fitness SNAP IT for additional book summaries. Clutter Busting Your Life: Clearing Physical and Emotional Clutter to Reconnect With Yourself and Others By Brooks Palmer New World Library, $14.95, 193 pages Check this out! Brooks Palmer has presented us all with the challenge to “cut the crap – and discover what really matters.” We all live with clutter. Most of us recognize the obvious clutter; catalogs, magazines, items that are broken but we just can’t find the impetus to get rid of it, due to some sort of strange sentimental attachment to it. But there is more to clutter than just the obvious physically present kind. According to Clutter Busting Your Life: Clearing Physical and Emotional Clutter to Reconnect With Yourself and Others by Brooks Palmer, working through the questions and exercises, reading each example presented, we can release ourselves from the
mental and emotional clutter. We hold clutter as a sense of protection, and we use it to defend ourselves. Even our desire to change others can be seen as clutter. Old relationships don’t serve us well, yep, they’re clutter too. Even arguments with others can be clutter, triggered by deep seeded feelings that really are the root of the disagreement. Yet somehow we hang on to our clutter, we grow attached to it, and we find any and all kinds of excuses not to free ourselves of it. I found myself nodding my head a lot in agreement, in recognition of things I hadn’t seen as clutter. And let me tell you – even in clearing the physical clutter, there is such a sense of freedom, of reclaiming space that is empowering. Imagine how that could feel as we rid ourselves of emotional and mental clutter. Reviewed by Laura Friedkin
ment. It clarifies the hybr idization of the digital and analog processes as well as the fluidity of digital image-making and its accessibility as a contemporary art form. It also presents and analyzes contemporary notions through historical context even while it covers basic strategies in design and composition. Most photography manuals limit themselves to execution, whereas this one promotes understanding of imagery on a conceptual level, thus encouraging critical thinking and aesthetic discrimination. An excellent reference for professionals and students alike, it will surely withstand the test of time. Reviewed by Richard Mandrachio The Orchid Whisperer By Bruce Rogers Chronicle Book, $19.95, 144 pages Check this out! Bruce Rogers does not whisper; he announces loud and clear all that you’d want or need to know about the exotic orchid. Once the queen of exquisite corsages, orchid plants have become abundantly available to
the public at affordable prices. Accompanied by striking photographs, the contents cover everything one should know, from buying and growing orchids to details on the twelve most popular orchids, along with advice for decorating with these plants. I learned that I possess a Phalaenopsis hybrid, considered the most popular orchid in the world and which is recognized by its large flowers resembling hovering moths. These are the kind now available in supermarkets. Also, I discovered that one of the invasive plants in my garden is the stunning fuchsia Bletilla, which is described as one tough orchid. Note that the vanilla plant is a vine-like orchid, and the fragrant vanilla bean is the orchid seed pod. Everything you need to know about orchids, their varieties and how to care for them is included in this lovely book. The photographs are so beautiful they could be framed. If you claim a faulty green thumb, this book will help you overcome fear of caring for orchids. Reviewed by Aron Row
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SNAP IT for additional book summaries. Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age By Robert Hirsch Focal Press, $49.95, 496 pages Check this out! A second-edition release, this is Robert Hirsch’s updated and expanded version of digital image-making theory. Neither software nor camera manual, it covers key methods and elements of digital imaging: limitless shooting, instantaneous results, in-camera programming, post-capture modifications, desktop printing, and online
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publishing. Chapters on history, design, image capture, exposure and filters, light, observation, expressing time/space, the digital studio, presentation/preservation, dynamic shooting, and problem-solving techniques are further divided into smaller topics. The book concludes with addenda on health, safety issues, and career options. Numerous charts, exercises, and illustrations support the text. This book comprehensively interprets the practical methodology involved in creating the photographic image in a digital environTulsa Book Review • October 2012 • 5
career advice Visit TulsaLibrary.org/jobnow and use your Tulsa City-County Library card to access JobNow!
Book Reviews
Category
Fiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries. Ghost Song By Sarah Rayne Felony & Mayhem, $14.95, 400 pages Check this out! The theme here is “what we do for love,” and of course, those variations are endless! In Ghost Song, Sarah Rayne keeps the variations coming all the way to the end. Perhaps the new rule is, one variation for every twenty or so pages, and considering there are four hundred pages, you’ll be kept on the edge of your chair until you read the last page and slowly close the book. Keep it handy – you’ll probably want to read it again. Maybe even immediately! Bravo to Felony & Mayhem Press, a publisher that doesn’t restrict itself to the same old basic categories! Appropriately enough, they put the brilliant Ghost Song into their “WildCard” classification, and that’s a perfect description of this hypnotizing book. It’s set partly in the summer of 1914, in London, amidst the ferment of World War One, with the headliner, Toby Chance, appearing at the Tarleton Theater. This story is set in chunks against modern day events, when the company responsible for maintaining the theater, Harlequin Society, hires the surveyor Robert Fallon to ascertain the theater’s condition, prior to possibly being re-opened for the first time since 1914. Tales of the Tarleton—and its ghost— abound, but there are seemingly very few findable facts. Slowly, adding new characters and themes rich in details, the author, Sarah Rayne, constructs her symphony of words. Brava! Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz Havana Requiem By Paul Goldstein Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $26.00, 320 pages Check this out! The prose is so evocative in this extraordinary legal thriller that one is tempted to reread passages just to savor it. Goldstein tunes language like a virtuoso, conjuring the ever-present tension between idealism and
cynicism, hope and despair, altruism and greed that affects everything and everyone protagonist Michael Seeley encounters. Returning to the law firm from which he was dismissed not long ago, Seeley also has to balance lessons learned against principles that never change. As a professional in a large organization, he has to balance the firm’s need for major cases and major clients against his own preference for the pro bono work that soothes his conscience. A legal acquaintance arranges for Seeley to meet with an aging Cuban musician-composer, Hector Reynoso. Hector represents a group of composers whose compositions defined Cuba’s rich cultural epoch of the 1940s and 1950s. They need Seeley is to represent them in their struggle to regain their copyrights. In part, it is a financial issue: others are reaping tens of millions each year from this body of work. In part, it is a matter of controlling the circumstances of the music’s use. Hector mysteriously disappears as Seeley goes to Havana to obtain necessary signatures from his clients. The lawyer enters a blazingly hot shadow-world of governmental and power broker conspiracies in which players switch sides as motives and revelations collide. The suspense is almost unbearable as Seeley and gorgeous Amaryll Cruz pursue their interwoven goals and seek mutual trust in a climate of constant threat. Reviewed by Phil Jason The Reluctant Matchmaker By Shobhan Bantwal Kensington Publishing, $15.00, 303 pages Check this out! Meena has the successful career she’s worked hard for. And yet, as an unmarried Indian woman in her early thirties, she’s feeling pressure from her family to find an eligible husband. So when fate puts Meena—literally—in the path of her unmarried, highly successful businessman of a boss, Prajay, her family starts scheming. Then Prajay gives her a special assignment:
help him place ads in online matchmaking sites to attract his perfect bride! Meena wants to help, but fighting off her own blossoming emotions for Prajay proves the hardest task of all. If you’re looking for a fluffy summertime read, pick up The Reluctant Matchmaker by Shobhan Bantwal. The plot is light and fun, with just enough romance to give you warm fuzzy feelings inside. Meena’s family, especially her awesome aunt Akka, are a colorful cast of characters, while the East Coast setting has just enough realism to give this story a realistic feel. It may be obvious how this story is going to end, but getting there is certainly a diverting way to spend an afternoon. Reviewed by Holly Scudero Our Lady of Alice Bhatti By Mohammed Hanif Knopf, $25.95, 239 pages Check this out! Why does life treat Alice Bhatti so capriciously? Because she is Catholic in a Muslim world? Because she does not suffer fools gladly and may have a razor blade secreted on her person? Because her Choohra (untouchable) father, cleaner of drains, is able to cure stomach ulcers with candle smoke? Are these reasons enough that Alice should be jailed, set upon as an object of worship by mental patients, hounded into marriage by a steroid-popping body builder with the voice of a little girl? In the Wonderland that is present day Karachi, Alice tumbles down a rabbit hole and into the Borstal Jail for Women and Children, after trying to complete an operation the surgeon abandoned. When she has served her time, the hospital hires her back, assigning her volatile and high risk duties. Her most peaceful time is spent in the hospital courtyard, among the beggars and paupers too poor to be admitted for treatment, in the shade of an enormous tree they call the Old Doctor. This is a horrifying, fascinating, and scurrilously funny novel. Hanif’s characters resolutely march through chaos and confusion toward their destinies, accepting the consequences of taking up space on the planet, retaliating when possible. Do not expect to read this book in one sitting. Reviewed by Elizabeth Benford
Tulsa Book Review • October 2012 • 6
The Good Dream By Donna VanLiere St. Martin’s Press, $25.99, 310 pages Check this out! In her early thirties, Ivorie Walker is now considered a spinster in her small town in east Tennessee. It’s 1950, and life is pretty simple and predictable for her. Ivorie’s father has been gone a few years, and her mother died more recently, so she fills her summer days with gardening, cleaning, and lots of canning, keeping the loneliness mostly at bay. But two things happen to change her life: she gets a suitor, and she finds a little boy who needs her care. As Ivorie learns more about the dirty, quiet child who steals food from her garden, she determines to give him a proper life. But as she becomes more attached to him, she comes up against the skepticism of others and some downright hostility. After all, life in a small Southern town has its expected rhythms — and secrets that are as dangerous as a hornet’s nest when disturbed. Donna Van Liere writes a lovely novel about love, loss, and devotion, and its evocation of life in the South sixty years in the past makes one a little nostalgic for simpler times. The story and characters pluck at your heartstrings without being maudlin. The Good Dream is simply a beautiful book. Reviewed by Cathy Carmode Lim Hex Appeal By P.N. Elrod, editor St. Martin’s Griffin, $14.99, 356 pages Check this out! Fans of urban fantasy, this book is for you. Featuring some of today’s hottest authors and stories set in some of the most popular versions of our world, Hex Appeal is a treat. Whether you want to read about a wizard detective working for Bigfoot, a very special zombie looking for vengeance, a fallen angel fighting demons, or any number of other fantastical and fascinating creatures, this collection has got you covered. Though not all of the tales are to my taste (one features a relationship so codependent that if the couple stops loving each other, they die), all of them are fun and exciting. Each story takes place within a larger world so, if you find something you like, you can read more of it. Already a fan of some of the authors, this collection has turned
Book Reviews
me on to a whole host of new series that I am excited to read. Each story is followed by a brief author bio including the author’s website so you can find what else they have written. Even if you are not interested in picking up a new series, Hex Appeal is still a wonderfully entertaining read. All of the stories stand on their own with no background knowledge required. Whether an established fan or a curious newcomer, if you are at all interested in urban fantasy, you will enjoy this book. Reviewed by Audrey Curtis A Naked Singularity: A Novel By Sergio De La Pava University of Chicago Press, $18.00, 688 pages Check this out! Casi, a public defender in New York City’s court system, has never lost a case. Sympathy for his clients and an ardent desire to maintain his perfect record compel Casi to go to great lengths to achieve success. The twen- ty-four-year-old often forgoes food, sleep, and common courtesy in his fervor to favorably complete the evergrowing number of legal tasks before him. Not surprisingly, his body and mind suffer from the constant barrage, and Casi’s sense of reality begins to suffer. Surrounded by odd characters; such as a coworker set on committing the perfect crime, which he refuses to commit without Casi; Casi’s own quirky immigrant family; and a trio of neighbors who spend their days immersed in television while debating philosophy; Casi can’t help but wonder about the veracity, the value, and the quality of his life. A Naked Singularity tells the story of an intelligent, young man’s life slipping from his grasp. Irreverent and funny, the book shines a light on the failings of the legal system, the inanity of television, and the difficulty of finding a human connection. One can’t help but empathize with Casi’s dismay when faced with the outright stupidity, moral ambiguity, and complete lack of logic his everyday life has to offer. Reviewed by Tammy McCartney The Listeners By Leni Zumas Tin House, $15.95, 350 pages Check this out! Veracious and intelligent, The Listeners is a rhythmic and intense story about a unique woman, a punk-rocker, in her midthirties who deals every moment with guilt she bears from two separate incidents in her life that shaped her view of the world. These events are revealed slowly and effectively
Fiction
with tight prose at the precise moments when they should be, and with no melodrama. Zumas has found unique details— the narrator, for instance, has synesthesia—and she deals well with the complexities of gender. The reader is able to feel an affection and a fear for the narrator and the other characters that surround her as they deal with failure, substance abuse, and loss—of love, of opportunities, of youth. The narrator has issues with blood and menstruation and also with food, and the writer has juxtaposed these things in such a way as to cause the book to be, at moments, disturbing. Zumas has portrayed an odd but beautiful family, to whom the reader hates to say goodbye at the novel’s conclusion. Reviewed by Robin Martin The Devil’s Madonna By Sharon Potts Oceanview Publishing, $25.95, 346 pages Check this out! The Devil’s Madonna, by Sharon Potts, asks some very interesting questions about identity and the extent to which we should hold children responsible for the alleged sins of their families. Imagine Lillian, a ninetythree-year old woman, who’s now judged a possible danger to herself, if she continues to live on her own. She refuses all offers of help except from her granddaughter, Kali. Despite her pregnancy and her husband’s protests, Kali decides to spend a few days with Lillian, but this proves difficult. Lillian seems a little paranoid and, after a stroke, she begins to say some quite surprising things. This is really two stories; we watch the modern drama play out as Lillian’s paranoia proves to justified, while a second set of flashbacks slowly reveals what happened in the late 1930’s as Lillian moves first from Austria to Germany and then on to Britain and a happy marriage in America. Although I might express some reservations about the ending, this is both a well-constructed historical drama and an increasingly taut thriller. We watch as people are suddenly forced to confront truths about who they are and what they stand for. The answers are not always kind. Reviewed by David Marshall
The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D.: A Novel By Nichole Bernier Crown, $24.00, 309 pages Check this out! Kate and Elizabeth have been best friends since meeting in a play group after their children were born. Suddenly Liz is killed in a plane crash, and leaves her journals to Kate. Most shocking is that right before she was killed, Liz was heading to California to meet with a man named Michael. Elizabeth’s journals begin in her pre-teen years and continue until the present. Kate had always imagined that Liz and Dave had a picture-perfect marriage, but with the introduction of the mysterious Michael both Kate and Dave discover some secrets that Elizabeth has kept hidden for a long time. Kate even begins to question her own marriage and decisions she has made regarding motherhood and career choices.
The more interesting of the two story lines is Elizabeth’s. Liz is very introspective, as is Kate, so there is a lot of analyzing of the journal entries. In comparison, Kate’s life is mostly free of conflict other than whether or not she can balance a career with two young children, and the fact that Dave is pressuring her to let him read the journals. Liz’s life unfolds slowly, somewhat as a mystery, and by the end, both Kate and Dave learn the truth. This book is definitely geared for women, and will be especially appreciated by young mothers with small children. The author writes well and develops memorable characters. Reviewed by Leslie Wolfson
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History & Current Events SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
A Disposition to Be Rich By Geoffrey C. Ward Knopf, $28.95, 432 pages Check this out! Before Charles Ponzi or Bernie Madoff, there was Ferdinand Ward. Somewhat forgotten today, he managed to rock Wall Street and ruin former President Ulysses S. Grant among others. This unflinching biography of the life of the “best-hated man in the United States” is all the more intriguing because the author, Geoffrey C. Ward, is Ferdinand Ward’s great-grandson. Ward was the product of indulgent former missionary parents and they seemed to be ill-equipped to steer him into their faith, although his brother and sister were successful and god-fearing. Bouncing from school to school, his parents weren’t quite sure what to make of him, but unfailingly thought the best of him. When he made it big in New York City, they thought that he had found himself. No one, including President Grant or his son Ferd’s partner in mostly name only, knew just how he had acquired the “Midas touch.” Many believed he hastened Grant’s death. Fascinatingly, Ferd never apologized and continued to blame everyone but himself from his prison cell, and continued to paint castles in the air while tormenting his only son until the day that he died. Reviewed by Gwen Stackler
The Mansion of Happiness: A History of Life and Death By Jill Lepore Knopf, $27.95, 282 pages Check this out! As many people will say, as they get older, “Life used to be simpler.” Our advancements in science and medicine have expanded life. In the 1800’s, the average age in America was sixteen, now it is thirty-five. Jill Lepore’s book takes apart the stages of life, from birth to even life beyond the grave, to help us understand the growing pains. The book’s thesis runs parallel with the evolution of life. Not real life, but the Milton Bradley board game, The Game of Life. Originally, the board game was a black and red checkered board, with fixed choices, and a much darker ending. Now, the board game offers hundreds of choices, no one ever grows old, and death does not exist. The book is a great comment on American culture and it casts a net reaching from early America to present time. I especially loved the parts on childhood and marriage. Lepore takes each section and finds a great story to tell that explains her views. The only problem is that the book as a whole is too disconnected. Not until the end does Lepore explain her intentions, like a magician revealing a trick. Her writing is top notch, with excellent pacing, and the citing is well done. She really lets her evidence tell its own story instead of jamming in her views. This book is an entertaining read with some mind blowing stories, a great book for anyone interested in understanding America’s past. Reviewed by Kevin Brown
Tulsa Book Review • October 2012 • 8
BESTSELLERS COMING SOON
TO TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY Search the library’s catalog at http://tulsalibrary.org to reserve your copies now.
Speaking From Among the Bones
By C. Alan Bradley Eleven-year-old amateur detective and ardent chemist Flavia de Luce is used to digging up clues, whether they’re found among the potions in her laboratory or between the pages of her insufferable sisters’ diaries. What she is not accustomed to is digging up bodies. Upon the 500th anniversary of St. Tancred’s death, the English hamlet of Bishop’s Lacey is busily preparing to open its patron saint’s tomb. Nobody is more excited to peek inside the crypt than Flavia, yet what she finds will halt the proceedings dead in their tracks: the body of Mr. Collicutt, the church organist, his face grotesquely and inexplicably masked. Who held a vendetta against Mr. Collicutt, and why would they hide him in such a sacred resting place? The irrepressible Flavia decides to find out. And what she unearths will prove there’s never such thing as an open-and-shut case.
The Perils of Sherlock Holmes
By Loren D. Estleman In this adventurous collection of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, you will find yourself right by the legendary detective’s side as he investigates a whole new series of crimes. Each of these fascinating tales is authorized by the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle estate, and while you will recognize some of them, other stories, like “The Serpent’s Egg,” are revealed here for the very first time.
The Bridge: A Novel
By Karen Kingsbury Ryan Kelly spends plenty of time at The Bridge, the oldest bookstore in historic downtown
Franklin, Tenn., remembering the times he and Molly Allen, who moved to Portland, once spent there, and now, with the bookstore in deep financial trouble, it will take a miracle to keep tragedy from unfolding.
Collateral Damage
By Stuart Woods After a productive trip to Bel-Air, Stone Barrington is back in Manhattan and back in his element, ready to return to the world of deluxe fine dining and elegant high society that New York does best. But then an unexpected visit from his friend and periodic lover, CIA Assistant Director Holly Barker, draws Stone into a dangerous game of murder and vengeance, against an enemy with plans bigger than they could ever imagine.
Standing in Another Man’s Grave By Ian Rankin
It’s every parent’s nightmare: a 15-year-old girl has disappeared. She was last seen hitchhiking along a scenic highway in rural Scotland, and the only other clue is a photograph sent from her phone. Two detectives, one of them retired, are working the case when they learn that there may be other victims out there, stretching back a decade and more. The road itself may provide them with answers, but a complicated case is only made worse by interference from conflicting witnesses, the police department’s own Internal Affairs division – and the ominous attentions of the missing girl’s gangster stepfather. On the 20th anniversary of Ian Rankin’s first American publication comes a novel that proves why he is one of crime fiction’s most enduring and bestselling authors – a riveting story of sin, redemption and revenge.
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Hispanic Heritage Month programs are marked with this icon.
adult/teen events Bixby Library A-Book-A-Month Discussion Group Wednesday, Oct. 17 • 2-3 p.m. Read "Darkest Evening of the Year" by Dean Koontz and then join us for this lively discussion. For adults.
Broken Arrow Library Read or Die Manga/Anime Club Saturday, Oct. 20 • 12:30-2 p.m. For ages 13-18. UFO Photos Tuesday, Oct. 23 • 4-5 p.m. Attention: Unidentified Flying Objects spotted in Broken Arrow! Design and create a flying saucer to hoax your very own UFO sighting. A Night of Poe and Lovecraft Thursday, Oct. 25 • 6:30-7:45 p.m. Local mystery author Will Thomas will read selections from Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft. Punch and cookies will be provided. For adults.
Broken Arrow Library/South Meet the Author Tuesdays • noon-1 p.m. For adults. Sponsored by the Broken
L I B R A R Y CLOSINGS
TEEN READ MONTH PROGRAMS ARE MARKED WITH THIS ICON. Arrow Arts and Humanities Council. Oct. 2 • Naomi Brenda McDonald, author of "They Sing to Our Hearts: A Communicator Shares Her Stories of Animal Wisdom." Oct. 9 • John M. Henshaw, University of Tulsa professor and author of "A Tour of the Senses: How Your Brain Interprets the World." Oct. 16 • Cynthia Barnes, author of "An Ear to the Past, Fact and Fiction From My Storytelling Past." Oct. 23 • Bill Wetterman, author of "Room 1515." Broken Arrow Great Discussions Wednesdays, Oct. 10, 24 12:30-2:30 p.m. • Join others to discuss local, national and international current issues. For adults. E-Book Breakdown Monday, Oct. 22 • 8:15-9:30 a.m. Learn how to download free library e-books to a variety of different devices. For adults. Class size is limited and preregistration is required. Call 918-549-7662 to register. Workshop: Every Child Ready to Read Wednesday, Oct. 24 • 10:30-11:30 a.m. Children who begin school ready to read experience greater success. Start your child off right by engaging them in five simple but powerful activities every day. Participants will receive a parent packet and each child will receive a book. Sponsored by Cox Connects Foundation.
All Tulsa City-County Library locations will be closed on Monday, Oct. 8 for Columbus Day.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME SCHUSTERMAN-BENSON LIBRARY • PAGE 3 Our Cosmic Neighborhood: The Moon – Our Closest Satellite Monday, Oct. 29 • 6:30-8 p.m. Broken Arrow Sidewalk Astronomers invite you to swoon over the moon. Afterward, we'll go outside for some sky gazing (weather permitting). You may bring your telescope. For all ages. Dare to Come to the Library for the Fun of It! Wednesday, Oct. 31 • 2:30-4:30 p.m. Meet new friends, play games, join the Teen Advisory Board and solve the mystery of the missing book.
Central Library Books Sandwiched In Mondays • 12:10-12:50 p.m. Location: Aaronson Auditorium For adults and teens. Sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries. Oct. 1 • Nancy Christy, language arts instructor at Carver Middle School, will review "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. Oct. 15 • Mary Larson, associate professor of English at Tulsa Community College and Nimrod fiction editor, will review "Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch" by Sally Bedell Smith. Oct. 22 •Dobie Langencamp, petroleum attorney who served as the deputy assistant to the secretary of energy under the Carter and Clinton administrations, will review "Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson" by Robert Caro. Oct. 29 • Jeff Martin, author and
co-founder of Booksmart Tulsa, will review "Hedy's Folly: The Life and Breakthrough Inventions of Hedy Lamarr, the Most Beautiful Woman in the World" by Richard Rhodes. Registration Deadline for Literacy Tutor Training Tuesday, Oct. 9 for a two-part workshop on Saturdays, Oct. 20, 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15 for a four-part workshop on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 29, Nov. 1, 5 and 8 from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m. Tulsa City-County Library's Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service needs volunteer tutors to help adults improve their reading and writing skills. Tutors must be 18 years of age or older and have graduated from high school. Each trained volunteer is matched with an adult student to provide one-on-one tutoring once or twice a week. Volunteers are asked to make a one-year commitment to tutor. Preregistration is required. To register for the workshop, call 918-549-7400 or click on www.tulsalibrary.org/literacy. Book Discussion Thursday, Oct. 11 • 2-3 p.m. Location: Plaza Room Read "Visit From the Goon Squad" by Jennifer Egan and then join us for this lively discussion. For adults. And Their Voices Shall Be Heard Tuesday, Oct. 16 • 7-8:30 p.m. Location: Aaronson Auditorium Join community leaders, artists, poets and performers for this unique Readers Theater event. Deborah Hearing loop available. Switch hearing aid to T-coil.
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Hunter, Vanessa Adams-Harris, Tulsa World writer Bravetta Hassell, local author Derek Cowan and others will interpret powerful literary selections from great African-American authors, including Gwendolyn Brooks, Ernest Gains, Toni Morrison and Octavia Butler. For adults and teens. Free Health Screenings Wednesday, Oct. 17 • 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Location: Aaronson Auditorium The Tulsa Health Department will provide free health screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol (full lipid panel), glucose hemoglobin A1C (no fasting required), body mass index, and waistto-hip ratio measurements. The Affordable Care Act Explained Wednesday, Oct. 17 • noon-1 p.m. Location: Lecture Room Jan Figart, associate director of the Community Service Council, will outline the provisions and associated costs of the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act, plus explain what it will mean for you as a patient and a taxpayer. Preregistration is required. Visit https:// www.surveymonkey.com/s/affordable_ care or call 918-549-7430 to register. Managing Prescription Drug Costs Wednesday, Oct. 17 • 2-3 p.m. Location: Lecture Room We all live on a budget, but when you need to fill a prescription you shouldn’t have to choose between buying medicine and buying groceries. Pharmacist Mark Wright, founder and head pharmacist at GenScripts Pharmacy, will share tips and strategies on how to maximize your prescription budget. Preregistration is required. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/drug_ cost or call 918-549-7430 to register.
Charles page Library Mmmm Braaaaiiinss! Thursday, Oct. 4 • 4-5:30 p.m. Make yourself over as a zombie, discuss survival techniques for the coming zombie apocalypse, pick up a few zombie-related books and eat brain cake! Character Costume Contest Wednesday, Oct. 31 • 4-5:30 p.m. Come dressed as your favorite character from a book. We'll have Halloween candy and decorations. Most elaborate and most authentic costume wins a prize.
Collinsville Library Scary-Good Book Matchup Monday, Oct. 1 • noon-8 p.m. Scary-mysterious, scaryexciting, scary-romantic! Let us match
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you with the book of your dreams ... or nightmares! All Thumbs Knitters Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 17 • 1-3 p.m. All levels of knitting expertise are welcome. For adults. Patchworkers Tuesday, Oct. 9 • 7-8 p.m. If you want to learn to quilt or are an experienced quilter, join us for an informative and fun evening. For adults. SUKIKYO! Anime/Manga Club Wednesdays, Oct. 10, 31 • 4-5:30 p.m. Meet other fans of Japanese art and animation. For teens. Refreshments are provided by the Friends of the Collinsville Library. Enter the Mad Scientist's Laboratory! Thursday, Oct. 25 • 2:30-4:30 p.m. Take part in apalling, disgusting and exciting experiments. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Collinsville Library.
glenpool library Fiesta! Saturday, Oct. 6 • 2:30-4 p.m. Enjoy a performance by the Tierra Mestiza folklore dancers and fun activities. For all ages.
Hardesty Regional Library Books Sandwiched In Wednesdays • 12:10-12:50 p.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium For adults and teens. Sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries. Oct. 3 • Glenda Kilmer, manager, Herman and Kate Kaiser Library, will review "The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" by Ree Drummond. Oct. 10 • Marilyn Newkirk, noted book reviewer, will review "Caleb's Crossing" by Geraldine Brooks. Oct. 17 • Teresa Adwan, lecturer, lawyer and community leader, will review "Washington: A Life" by Ron Chernow. Oct. 24 • Vane Lucas, president of Mathnasium of South Tulsa, will review "Last Muster: Images of the Revolutionary War Generation" by Maureen Taylor. The 7 Costly Mistakes Families Make in Their Estate Plans Wednesday, Oct. 10 • noon-1:30 p.m. Location: Pecan Room Join Karen L. Carmichael, estateplanning attorney, and immediately discover how you can avoid mistakes in these key areas: probate costs and delays; nursing-home costs; divorce; remarriage; creditor protection for
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children; incapacity; and loss of tax benefits. Seating is limited. To reserve a seat, call 918-549-7363. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust. Skill Toys for Teens Thursday, Oct. 11 • 4-6 p.m. Discover props used by jugglers, jesters and fools. Skill toys have been used for hundreds of years to entertain royalty, hone survival skills and just have fun. Try flower sticks, kendama, spinning plates, chatter rings and diabolos. Preregistration is required. Register online at https:// www.surveymonkey.com/s/SkillToys or leave message at 918-549-7556. Sponsored by Flow Circus Inc. Genealogy Workshop With Megan Smolenyak Saturday, Oct. 20 • 9:30 a.m. Megan Smolenyak is a genealogical adventurer who loves solving mysteries, making unusual discoveries and pushing the boundaries of conventional genealogy. Join her as she discusses: "Cold Cases: Genealogists, Coroners and the FBI" and "Trace Your Roots With DNA." She will sign copies of her book "Hey, America, Your Roots Are Showing," which will be available for purchasing. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust.
Helmerich Library E-Book Lab Tuesday, Oct. 2 • 5:30-7 p.m. Have questions about how to download e-books to your Kindle, Nook, iPad or other device? Drop in and get help from a librarian. Monster Cupcakes! Thursday, Oct. 11 • 5:30-6:30 p.m. Join the Peggy Helmerich Advisory Teens as we celebrate Halloween by decorating cupcakes as our favorite monsters or literary characters. Preregistration is required. Call 918-549-7631 to register. Sponsored by the Friends of the Helmerich Library. Books People Are Talking About Wednesday, Oct. 17 • 12:15-1:15 p.m. Read "Hannah Coulter" by Wendell Berry and then join us for this lively discussion. For adults. Light refreshments are provided by the Friends of the Helmerich Library. Zombie Prom Featuring Best-Selling Author Carrie Ryan Thursday, Oct. 25 • 5:30-7:30 p.m. Zombies love prom almost as much as brains! The prom features a zombie costume and walkoff contest, an apocalypse survival box challenge, zombie peg doll crafts and a zombie prom photo station! The New York Times best-selling author of "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" series will dish about zombies, writing and
her novels. A book signing will follow. Seating is limited. Sponsored by the Friends of the Helmerich Library and Tulsa Library Trust.
Herman and Kate Kaiser Library Yikes! My Beneficiary on My Insurance Policy Reads "Proceeds to My Estate." Tuesday, Oct. 9 • noon-1 p.m. Join attorney Rita Foster as she discusses wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney and other estateplanning documents. Learn how to avoid probate. Seating is limited. To reserve a seat, call 918-549-7363. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust. Dark in the Park: "The Princess Bride" Friday, Oct. 12 • 7-9:30 p.m. It's another park-in movie in LaFortune Park behind the library. Join us for a screening of the 1987 cult classic "The Princess Bride" (PG). Wear your best princess or pirate costume. Bring blankets and chairs. In case of rain, the movie will be shown inside. For all ages. Black-Light Painting Saturday, Oct. 20 • 1-2 p.m. Join us for this colorful, unique and groovy glow-in-the-dark painting class. For ages 10-16. Preregistration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918549-7542 to register.
Jenks Library Learning Disabilities Across the Lifespan Tuesday, Oct. 2 • 6:30-8 p.m. October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. This program addresses characteristics of LD through various ages and stages of life, the diagnostic process, the IEP process as well as legal rights under the IDEA and ADA. For adults. Sponsored by the Learning Disabilities Association of Oklahoma in partnership with the Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service.
Judy z. kishner Library Wildlife Habitat Gardening Saturday, Oct. 13 • 11 a.m.-noon Alyne Eiland, certified wildlife ambassador for Oklahoma with the National Wildlife Federation, will share tips as to how to develop a wildlife habitat garden. For adults. Zombie Party Tuesday, Oct. 16 • 3:15-4:15 p.m. Come dressed as a zombie, play zombie games and make marshmonsters. Sponsored by the Sperry/Kishner Friends of the Library.
a d u l t / t e e n Paper Crafts and Gifts! Saturday, Oct. 27 • 1-2 p.m. Join Crafty Liz to make inexpensive quick gifts for teachers, friends or family! For adults. Sponsored by the Sperry/Kishner Friends of the Library. Scary in Sperry! Monday, Oct. 29 • 5:30-7 p.m. Join us for food, games, prizes and lots of fun for the entire family! Costume Contest is at 6:30 p.m. For all ages.
Martin Regional Library Job Lab Mondays, Oct. 1, 15, 22, 29 • 9-11 a.m. Update your résumé, search for jobs online or explore a new career in this special computer lab just for job seekers. You will have access to Microsoft Office software and the Internet. USB flash drives are available for purchasing, or you can bring your own to save your work. Standard printing charges apply. Library staff and resources will be in the lab to provide assistance. For adults. Teen Time Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 4-5 p.m. • Join us for Wii and board games, work on your homework or enjoy other fun activities. Martin Ninja School Saturday, Oct. 6 • 1-2 p.m. Train to be a stealthy ninja. Enjoy games and competition to test your patience, agility, composure and more. Ninja costumes are encouraged! For tweens and teens. Spicing It Up With Whole Foods Friday, Oct. 12 • 1-3 p.m. Sharon Stroud from Whole Foods Market will demonstrate cooking Latin/ Mexican meals the healthy way. Manga Ai! Saturday, Oct. 20 • 2-3 p.m. Munch on Pocky and meet up with other manga fans to discuss your favorite books and movies, characters and plot twists from this popular Japanese publishing trend. For sixth-graders and up. Teen Advisory Board Meeting Saturday, Oct. 20 • 3:15-4:15 p.m. Help us plan library services for teens, provide a teen perspective on the activities and materials that the library offers for teens, and talk about your favorite books. Monster Mayhem Monday, Oct. 22 • 4-5 p.m. Chat about your favorite monsters from books and movies, challenge your friends at
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zombie-themed games and vampire jeopardy, plus chow down on werewolf kibble and other snacks. Horror Fiction Roundtable Thursday, Oct. 25 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. Discuss the current state of horror fiction, the glorious covers of the '80s and where the future of the genre might be heading! For adults. Skill Toys Monday, Oct. 29 • 4:30-6 p.m. Discover props used by jugglers, jesters and fools. Skill toys have been used for hundreds of years to entertain royalty, hone survival skills and just have fun. Try flower sticks, kendama, spinning plates, chatter rings and diabolos. For ages 10-14.
nathan hale LIBRARY Down the Taco Trail Saturday, Oct. 13 • 2-3 p.m. How has Mexican food changed the way we eat in America? Join us to discuss "Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America." Find out about Oklahoma ties to Mexican cuisine in the U.S. and how Tulsa made it onto the list of best places to get Mexican food, plus take a look at some new cookbooks, as well as some old favorites. For all ages. Navigating the Insulin Maze Thursday, Oct. 25 • 3-4 p.m. Learn more about the effects of insulin on our bodies with this continuation of our Diabetes Awareness Series conducted by Susan Nole from Couch Pharmacy. For adults.
Owasso Library Zumba at the Library Friday, Oct. 5 • 4-5 p.m. Find out why Zumba is the best way to get in shape! For ages 16 and older. Sponsored by Fit for Her Owasso and the Hispanic Resource Center. Books With Barbara Wednesday, Oct. 10 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. • Read "Falling Together" by Marisa de los Santos and then join us for this spirited discussion. Thai String Toys and Monster Bookmarks Friday, Oct. 19 • 2-4 p.m. We'll make Thai string toys and monster bookmarks, enjoy root-beer floats and preview some book trailers.
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Rudisill Regional Library Black in Latin America Thursday, Oct. 4 • 6-8:30 p.m. Visit Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba with Henry Louis Gates to explore what happens when African and Hispanic worlds meet. A discussion will follow this film showing. For all ages. Black in Latin America, Part 2 Thursday, Oct. 11 • 6-8:30 p.m. Visit Brazil, Mexico and Peru with Henry Louis Gates to explore what happens when African and Hispanic worlds meet. A dscussion will follow this film showing. For all ages. Kuruoshii Manga Club Thursday, Oct. 11 • 6-7:30 p.m. This book and movie discussion group is for anime and manga lovers. For ages 13-18. Business Plan Basics Saturday, Oct. 20 • 10 a.m.-noon Whether you are starting a new business or expanding an existing company, a thorough business plan is important. Volunteers from SCORE: Counselors to America's Small Business, Tulsa Chapter 194, will take you through the steps to develop your own business plan. Learn why a business plan is important and what research is required. Preregistration is required. Call 918-549-7645 to register. For adults. Keeping Ties That Bind: Relative/Kinship Support Group Friday, Oct. 26 • 10 a.m.-noon Parenting the second time around? Join representatives from Tulsa Public Schools for an overview of PowerSchool, the official Tulsa Public Schools website. Learn how to create an account that allows you to view your child's academic progress, school attendance and more. For adults.
American cities, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Toronto. Their multimedia presentation features classic major league ballparks as well as historical sites, museums, natural wonders and some quite amusing stories of their adventures along the way. Bring your lunch and join us for popcorn and door prizes! For adults and teens. Sponsored by the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries. Teen Advisory Board Tuesday, Oct. 23 • 4-5 p.m. You have a voice here! Join us for refreshments while we talk about books and decide what programs YOU want at YOUR library! Get Your Ghostly Game On! Tuesday, Oct. 30 • 5-7 p.m. Come in costume and enjoy creepy snacks, ghostly games and much more! There will be a prize for best costume.
skiatook Library Teen Time Tuesday, Oct. 23 • 3:30 p.m. Play Wii and board games. Zombie Attack Tuesday, Oct. 30 • 3:30-5 p.m. Get a zombie makeover and prepare for a zombie attack.
Suburban Acres Library Monster Movie Thursday, Oct. 18 • 4-6 p.m. From book to big screen, join us for a movie that CAME FROM THE LIBRARY! Bring your own snack. Seating is limited. Get Caught Reading Day Saturday, Oct. 20 • 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Get caught reading and receive a thank-you gift and surprise.
Get Your Game On @ TCCL Friday, Oct. 26 • 2-4:30 p.m. Play board and Wii games. For teens.
Mummy Wrap Contest Wednesday, Oct. 31 • 4-6 p.m. Make a mummy. Prizes will be awarded.
SCHUSTERMAN-BENSON Library
Zarrow Regional Library
Mystery Readers Roundtable Thursday, Oct. 4 • 2-3 p.m. Read a good mystery lately? Come for coffee and tell us about it.
Urban Homesteading Monday, Oct. 1 • 7-8 p.m. Interested in a more sustainable, selfsufficient lifestyle? Join us to discuss gardening, poultry, beekeeping, food storage and more. For all ages.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game: Adventures in Baseball, Culture and Much More Thursday, Oct. 18 • 1-2 p.m. Join baseball buddies Wayne Hardy, Myles Jaeschke and Denis McGilvray on a whirlwind tour of some great North
Zombie Peg Toys Thursday, Oct. 4 • 6-7:30 p.m. Make a zombie toy out of wood using paint and other crafty supplies.
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a d u l t / t e e n (Zarrow Regional Library continued)
Cherokee Language Class Thursdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 • 6-7:30 p.m. Come and learn the Cherokee language with Tulsa Cherokee Community Organization teachers. For adults and teens. Seating is limited. Sponsored by the American Indian Resource Center. Zombie Drawing Class Thursday, Oct. 11 • 6-7:30 p.m. Learn step-by-step how to pencil, ink and color one of the walking dead. Zombie Game Night Thursday, Oct. 18 • 6-8 p.m. Play "Plants vs. Zombies," "Zombie Fluxx" and more! Westside Stitchers Monday, Oct. 22 • 6:30-8 p.m. Like to knit or crochet or want to learn how? If so, join us for some yarn-y fun and fellowship. For all ages.
computer classes Hardesty Regional Library
For Adults CLASSES ARE limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis. MS Excel 1 Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9 • 6-8 p.m. Learn how to create formulas, use automatic fill and change basic formatting. Really Basic PC Class Thursday, Oct. 4 • 10-11 a.m. This class is designed for new PC users who have little or no previous experience using Windows, a mouse or the Internet, and little or no knowledge of basic computer terms. MS Word 1 Saturday, Oct. 13 • 9:30-11:30 a.m. Learn how to create various kinds of documents; use the toolbar; set margins; apply spell check; and preview, save and print documents. MS Excel 2 Tuesday, Oct. 16 • 6-8 p.m. Learn how to create and edit formulas, and apply functions and advanced formatting to your spreadsheets and workbooks. Internet Basics Thursday, Oct. 18 • 10-11 a.m. This class is designed for PC users with little or no experience surfing the Internet. You will navigate the World Wide Web and explore various search engines. You also will learn to preview, print and save information.
e v e n t s / c o m p u t e r MS Excel 3 Tuesday, Oct. 23 • 6-8 p.m. Learn how to create visual representations of spreadsheet and workbook data. Learn how to create charts, apply conditional formatting and control the appearance of printed spreadsheets. Introduction to MS PowerPoint Tuesday, Oct. 30 • 6-8 p.m. Learn how to create group presentations and slide shows.
Martin Regional Library
CLASSES ARE LIMITED TO 12 ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS. MS Word 1 Saturday, Oct. 6 • 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Oct. 23 • 1:30-3:30 p.m. Learn how to create various kinds of documents; use the toolbar; set margins; apply spell check; and preview, save and print documents. Really Basic Computer Class Tuesday, Oct. 9 • 1:30-3:30 p.m. This class is designed for new computer users who have little or no previous experience using computers, Windows, a mouse or the Internet, and little or no knowledge of basic computer terms. MS Word 2 Saturday, Oct. 13 • 10 a.m.-noon Learn how to create and format tables, use bulleted and numbered lists, and apply and format columns in a document. Email 101 Tuesday, Oct. 16 • 1:30-3:30 p.m.p.m. Let us help you set up an outlook.com email address and show you the basics of communicating electronically. MS Word 3 Saturday, Oct. 20 • 10 a.m.-noon Learn how to create and use borders and shading, headers and footers, page numbering and drawing tools. MS Word 4 Saturday, Oct. 27 • 10 a.m.-noon Explore mail merge, use tables to perform calculations and create onscreen forms. MS Excel 1 Tuesday, Oct. 30 • 1:30-3:30 p.m. Learn how to create formulas, use automatic fill and change basic formatting.
c l a s s e s / c h i l d r e n ' s a job application, file a form online? We can help! For all ages. Computer assistance is on a first-come, firstserved basis.
Rudisill Regional Library
For all ages. Preregistration is Required. Class SIZES ARE limited. Call 918-549-7645 to register. Really Basic Computer Class Friday, Oct. 5 • 9:30-11 a.m. This class is designed for new computer users who have little or no previous experience using computers, Windows, a mouse or the Internet, and little or no knowledge of basic computer terms. Introduction to MS Word 2007 Friday, Oct. 12 • 9:30-11 a.m. Learn how to create various kinds of documents; use the toolbar; set margins; apply spell check; and preview, save and print documents. Internet @ the Library Friday, Oct. 19 • 9:30-11 a.m. Learn how to navigate the World Wide Web and use the library’s online catalog and resources. Email 101 Friday, Oct. 26 • 9:30-11 a.m. Learn how to set up a free account and how to use it to send and receive email.
Zarrow Regional Library Computers for Seniors Wednesdays, Oct. 10, 17, 24, 31 1:30-3:30 p.m. • Have you always wanted to learn to use a computer but were afraid to try? This series of four classes is designed especially for older folks who need a slower-paced, encouraging atmosphere in which to learn new skills. Scheduled classes are: Oct. 10, "Hardware Boot Camp"; Oct. 17, "Beginning Internet"; Oct. 24, "Fun With Files"; and Oct. 31, "Email 101." For ages 55+. Class size is limited.
children’s events
maxwell park Library
Bixby Library
One-on-One Computer Assistance Mondays, Oct. 1, 15, 22, 29 • 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10 a.m.-noon • Do you need extra help on the computer? Do you need to sign up for an email address, fill out
My First Storytime Mondays, Oct. 1, 15, 22, 29 10:30-10:45 a.m. • For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers.
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Preschool Storytime Mondays • 11-11:30 a.m. For ages 2-5. An adult must accompany 2-year-olds. Oct. 1 • Messy and Clean Oct. 15 • Alphabet Oct. 22 • Cowboys Oct. 29 • Bears Skill Toys Interactive Program Thursday, Oct. 18 • 2-3:30 p.m. Who needs batteries? Come and play with a variety of toys that can be spun, balanced and tossed using you own body as the power source. For ages 10-13.
Broken Arrow Library My First Storytime Mondays, Oct. 1, 15, 22, 29 Thursdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 10:30 a.m. • For newborns to 2-yearolds and their caregivers. Preschool Storytime Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10:30 a.m. • For ages 3-6. ¡Uno, Dos, Tres con Andrés! Wednesday, Oct. 3 • 10:30-11:10 a.m. Andrés Salguero will present an interactive children's program that teaches Spanish language and Latin American culture. Children sing, shake and sound out rhythms while trying regional Latin dances and practicing Spanish words. For ages 6 and younger. Sponsored by the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust. Stuffed-Animal Storytime and Sleepover Thursday, Oct. 11 • 6:30-7:15 p.m. Bring your favorite stuffed animal and wear your pajamas to a special evening storytime with games, crafts, stories and a sleepover for your teddy bear. Pick up your stuffed animal the next day and see pictures of his or her adventures. For ages 6 and younger.
Broken Arrow Library/South My First Storytime Mondays, Oct. 1, 15, 22, 29 10:30-10:50 a.m. • For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers. Fidelia's Storytime Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 10:30-10:50 a.m. • Enjoy stories, songs and crafts. For ages 3-5. Stay and Play Tuesday, Oct. 2 • 11-11:30 a.m. After our regularly scheduled storytime, join us for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 1-5 and their caregivers. Sponsored by Cox Connects Foundation.
c h i l d r e n ' s Toddler Time Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 31 10:30-10:50 a.m. • Touch, explore, learn something new. Exploring the world is what we do. Join us for stories, songs and action rhymes. For 1-year-olds to 36-month-olds and their caregivers. Bilingual Storytime Thursdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 10:30-10:50 a.m. • Enjoy stories in English and Spanish, learn songs and make a craft. For ages 5 and younger. The Heroes Are Back! Wednesday, Oct. 10 • 6-7 p.m. Celebrate the new "Lost Heroes" adventure, "The Mark of Athena." Take part in a scavengar hunt, test your knowledge in a trivia game, and even storm a Roman fortress or two. You don't have to read the book to enjoy this program. For ages 8-13. Preregistration is required. Call 918549-7662 to register. Bilingual Music Storytime With César and Fidelia Thursday, Oct. 11 • 10:30-11 a.m. Enjoy some Latin beats with César and Fidelia while learning some Spanish words and songs. For ages 5 and younger. PAWS for Reading Thursday, Oct. 11 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19 • 3-4 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 7-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Preregistration is required. Call 918-549-7662 to register. Food, Fun and Stories Saturday, Oct. 13 • 1-3 p.m. For all ages. Preregistration is required. To register, call 918549-7662. Build a Birdfeeder Wednesday, Oct. 17 • 2-4 p.m. Start your fall break off by having fun building a birdfeeder with us! For ages 5-10. Preregistration is required. To register, call 918-549-7662. Block Party: Legos in the Library Thursday, Oct. 18 • 1-2 p.m. Join Lego Build-Off champions as you build, build, build. For ages 7-10. Preregistration is required. To register, call 918-549-7662. Bilingual Storytime: Honduras Thursday, Oct. 25 • 10:30-10:50 a.m. Learn about the country that has Mayan ruins through stories, songs and crafts. For ages 5 and younger.
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Brookside Library Preschool Storytime Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10:15-10:45 a.m. • For ages 2-5. An adult must accompany 2-year-olds. My First Storytime Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 11-11:20 a.m. • For newborns to 24-month-olds and their caregivers. ¡Uno, Dos, Tres con Andrés! Wednesday, Oct. 3 • 4-4:40 p.m. Andrés Salguero will present an interactive children's program that teaches Spanish language and Latin American culture. Children sing, shake and sound out rhythms while trying regional Latin dances and practicing Spanish words. For ages 6 and younger. Sponsored by the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust. PAWS for Reading Thursday, Oct. 4 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 7-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Stretching Exercises for Kids Wednesday, Oct. 10 • 3:45-4:30 p.m. Join Miss Dana for stretching. Wear comfortable clothing. For ages 7-14. Book Buddies Thursday, Oct. 25 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. Join Miss Dana for a craft and fun book. For ages 5-12.
Central Library ¡Uno, Dos, Tres con Andrés! Monday, Oct. 1 • 1-1:45 p.m. Andrés Salguero will present an interactive children's program that teaches Spanish language and Latin American culture. Children sing, shake and sound out rhythms while trying regional Latin dances and practicing Spanish words. For ages 6 and younger. Sponsored by the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust. My First Storytime Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 10:30-10:50 a.m. • For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers. Preschool Storytime Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 11-11:30 a.m. • For ages 3-5. Kids Dig Books: Imagine Yourself Thursday, Oct. 4 • 10-11 a.m. Location: Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Road Listen to stories about children who use their imaginations to create characters and environments from a world full of inspiration, and then create works of art based on their
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flights of fancy. For ages 3-6 and their caregivers. Space is limited. Reservations are required. Call 918596-2774 or email sarah-wright@ utulsa.edu for reservations or more information. Co-sponsored by Central Library’s Children’s Department. Fall Break Fun: Origami for Beginners Thursday, Oct. 18 • 2-3 p.m. Origami guru Andrew will teach the basics. For ages 9 and older. Preregistration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7438 to register. PAWS for Reading Saturday, Oct. 20 • 11 a.m.-noon Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-10 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, fourpawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Call 918-549-7438 to sign up. Walkins may participate if space is available.
Ms. Tatiana's Preschool Storytime Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 11-11:30 a.m. • For ages 3-5.
Hardesty Regional Library Toddler Time Mondays, Oct. 1, 15, 22, 29 10-10:20 a.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 11-11:20 a.m. Join Ms. Josie for stories, songs and finger plays. For ages 2-3 and their caregivers. Mr. Paul's Preschool Storytime Mondays, Oct. 1, 15, 22, 29 11-11:30 a.m. • For ages 3-5. Marvelous Monday Stories With Ms. Karen Mondays, Oct. 1, 22, 29 • 6:30-7 p.m. Join Ms. Karen for stories and other fun activities. For all ages.
Stories to Give You the Shivers Thursday, Oct. 25 • 6:30-7 p.m. Hear creepy, scary, slightly slimy stories. Wear a costume and get a treat! For ages 5-10.
My First Storytime Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10-10:20 a.m. • For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers.
Preschool Storytime: Halloween Stories Tuesday, Oct. 30 • 11-11:30 a.m. Join us for spooky and silly stories, songs and finger plays. Wear your costume for extra fun. For ages 3-5.
Preschool Storytime With Ms. Kristie Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 11-11:30 a.m. • Join us for stories, music and activities. For ages 3-5.
charles pages Library Preschool Storytime Tuesdays • 10:30-11:30 a.m. For newborns to 5-year-olds and their caregivers. Oct. 2 • Down on the Farm Oct. 9 • Native Americans Oct. 16 • Food! Oct. 23 • Moles Oct. 30 • Not-So-Scary Stories Sequoyah Book Award Club Monday, Oct. 15 • 3-4 p.m. Let's have fun while we read and debate some of this year's Sequoyah Award nominees. Refreshments will be provided. For third- through fifth-graders. Participants should read "Fish" by Gregory Mone prior to the program.
Collinsville Library Stories From the Rocking Chair Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 11-11:30 a.m. • Your little ones will enjoy stories, songs and interaction with a storyteller. For newborns to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.
glenpool Library My First Storytime Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10:30-10:45 a.m. • For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers.
Spanish Flamenco at the Library Monday, Oct. 15 • 6:30-7:15 p.m. Join Lexy and Reflejos Flamencos for an evening of music and dance. Skill Toys Tuesday, Oct. 23 • 4-6 p.m. Discover props used by jugglers, jesters and fools. Skill toys have been used for hundreds of years to entertain royalty, hone survival skills and just have fun. Try flower sticks, kendama, spinning plates, chatter rings and diabolos. For ages 8-12. Sponsored by Flow Circus Inc.
Helmerich Library Family Storytime Thursdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 10:15-10:35 a.m. • Join us for books, music, flannel board and math! For all ages. Chess, Anyone? Board Games, too! Thursday, Oct. 18 • 2-3:30 p.m. Join us for chess, checkers, Scrabble, Uno, Clue and more! For ages 10-13.
Herman and Kate Kaiser Library Preschool Storytime Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10:30-10:55 a.m. • For ages 3-5.
T ulsa c i t y - c ount y l i brar y e v e nt gu i d e
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c h i l d r e n ’ s (Herman and Kate Kaiser Library continued)
Stay and Play Storytime Thursdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 10:30-11:30 a.m. • For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! Enjoy storytime and then stay after for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers. PAWS for Reading Tuesdays, Oct. 9, 23 • 3:30-5:30 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Class size is limited.
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Pajama Storytime Tuesday, Oct. 9 • 7-7:30 p.m. It's a pajama jammy jam with Ms. Kristen and Mr. David! Wear your pj's and join us for some bedtime stories. For ages 4-8.
Jenks Library My First Storytime Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10-10:30 a.m. • For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers. Preschool Storytime Wednesdays • 10:30-11 a.m. For ages 3-5. Oct. 3 • Going Shopping! Oct. 10 • Making Like Trees and Leafing
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Oct. 17 • Creepy Spiders Oct. 24 • Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins Oct. 31 • Stories That Make You Say "Boo!" PAWS for Reading Tuesday, Oct. 16 • 4-5 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Preregistration is required. Call 918-549-7570 to register.
tulsa city-county library locations 1 Bixby Library 20 E. Breckenridge, 74008 • 918-549-7514 M-Th, 12-8; Fri., 12-6; Sat., 10-5 2 Broken Arrow Library 300 W. Broadway, 74012 • 918-549-7500 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 3 Broken Arrow Library/South 3600 S. Chestnut, 74011 • 918-549-7662 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 4 Brookside Library 1207 E. 45th Place, 74105 • 918-549-7507 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 5 Central Library and American Indian Resource Center 400 Civic Center, 74103 • 918-549-7323 M-Th, 9-9; Fri.-Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5, Sept.-May 6 Charles Page Library 551 E. Fourth St., Sand Springs, 74063 918-549-7521 • M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 7 Collinsville Library 1223 Main, 74021 • 918-549-7528 M-Th, 12-8; Fri., 12-5; Sat., 10-5 8 Genealogy Center 2901 S. Harvard, 74114 • 918-549-7691 M-W, 10-5; Th, 1-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 9 Glenpool Library 730 E. 141st St., 74033 • 918-549-7535 M-Th, 12-8; Fri., 12-5; Sat., 10-5 10 Hardesty Regional Library and Connor’s Cove 8316 E. 93rd St., 74133 • 918-549-7550 M-Th, 9-9; Fri., 9-6; Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5 11 Helmerich Library 5131 E. 91st St., 74137 • 918-549-7631 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 12 Herman and Kate Kaiser Library 5202 S. Hudson Ave., Suite B, 74135 918-549-7542 • M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 13 Jenks Library 523 W. B St., 74037 • 918-549-7570 M-T, 12-8; W-Th, 10-6; Fri., 12-5; Sat., 10-5
14 Judy Z. Kishner Library 10150 N. Cincinnati Ave. E., Sperry 74073 • 918-549-7577 M-T, 12-7; W, 10-5; Th, 12-7; Fri., 12-5; Sat., 10-5 15 Kendall-Whittier Library 21 S. Lewis, 74104 • 918-549-7584 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 16 Martin Regional Library and Hispanic Resource Center 2601 S. Garnett Road, 74129 • 918-549-7590 M-Th, 9-9; Fri., 9-6; Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5 17 Maxwell Park Library 1313 N. Canton, 74115 • 918-549-7610 M-F, 10-6; Sat., 10-5 18 Nathan Hale Library 6038 E. 23rd St., 74114 • 918-549-7617 M, 12-8; T-Th, 10-6; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 19 Owasso Library 103 W. Broadway, 74055 • 918-549-7624 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 20 Pratt Library 3219 S. 113th W. Ave., Sand Springs, 74063 • 918-549-7638 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 21 Rudisill Regional Library and African-American Resource Center 1520 N. Hartford, 74106 • 918-549-7645 M-Th, 9-9; Fri.-Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5 22 Schusterman-Benson Library 3333 E. 32nd Place, 74135 • 918-549-7670 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 23 Skiatook Library 316 E. Rogers, 74070 • 918-549-7676 M, 12-8; T-Th, 10-6; Fri.-Sat., 11-5 24 Suburban Acres Library 4606 N. Garrison, 74126 • 918-549-7655 M-Th, 10-6; Fri.-Sat., 11-5 25 Zarrow Regional Library 2224 W. 51st St., 74107 918-549-7683 M-Th, 9-9; Fri.-Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5
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Judy z. kishner Library Saturday Stories Saturdays, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 10:30-11 a.m. • For ages 5 and younger. BYOP: Bring Your Own Pumpkin Thursday, Oct. 18 • 3-4 p.m. Use our craft supplies to decorate your own pumpkin. For ages 5-12.
kendall-whittier Library Bilingual Storytime Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 10-10:45 a.m. • Enjoy stories in English and Spanish. For ages 3-5.
c h i l d r e n ’ s ¡Uno, Dos, Tres con Andrés! Tuesday, Oct. 2 • 1-1:40 p.m. Andrés Salguero will present an interactive children's program that teaches Spanish language and Latin American culture. Children sing, shake and sound out rhythms while trying regional Latin dances and practicing Spanish words. For ages 6 and younger. Sponsored by the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust. Bilingual Storytime Thursday, Oct. 4 • 9-9:45 a.m. Location: Health Department, 315 S. Utica • Enjoy favorite stories in English and Spanish. For ages 12 and younger. PAWS for Reading Saturday, Oct. 13 • 11 a.m.-noon Registered therapy dogs are excellent
en español para adultos BIBLIOTECA OWASSO Zumba en la biblioteca Viernes, 5 de octubre • 4-5 p.m. Traemos la manera más popular de entrar en forma a la biblioteca para mes de la herencia hispana. Entérate del porqué Zumba es la mejor manera de hacer ejercicio. Para mayores de 16 años. BIBLIOTECA REGIONAL MARTIN Cocinar para la salud Sábado, 20 de octubre • 2-3:30 p.m. Aprende a hacer pequeños cambios que traerán grandes beneficios para toda la familia. Jeannette Lucía Johnston, Asistente de Educación de la Universidad del Estado de Oklahoma (OSU), les enseñará ideas para preparar sus comidas favoritas de una manera más saludable, rápida y fácil. Para mayores de 16 años.
para todas las edades BIBLIOTECA BROKEN ARROW SUR Comida, diversión y cuentos Sábado, 13 de octubre • 1-3 p.m. Celebra el mes de la herencia hispana con nosotros y con tu familia. BIBLIOTECA GLENPOOL ¡Fiesta! Sábado, 6 de octubre • 2:30-4 p.m. Celebramos el mes de la herencia hispana con los bailes de Tierra Mestiza y otras actividades divertidas.
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listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust.
Martin Regional Library Preschool Storytime Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 11-11:30 a.m. • For ages 5 and younger. Stay and Play Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 11:30 a.m.-noon • For babies and toddlers, playing is learning! After our regularly scheduled storytime, join us for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 1-5 and their caregivers.
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Bilingual Family Storytime Thursdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 • 11-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 17, 24 • 6:30-7 p.m. Enjoy stories, songs, and activities in English and Spanish. For ages 5 and younger. ¡Uno, Dos, Tres con Andrés! Thursday, Oct. 4 • 11-11:40 a.m. Andrés Salguero will present an interactive children's program that teaches Spanish language and Latin American culture. Children sing, shake and sound out rhythms while trying regional Latin dances and practicing Spanish words. For ages 6 and younger. Sponsored by the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust. Book Buddies Thursdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 4-4:45 p.m. • When is a book more than a book? Find out the answer
when you join Miss Marie for games, activities, crafts and more! For firstthrough third-graders. Martin Ninja School Saturday, Oct. 6 • 1-2 p.m. Learn the essential ninja skills of balance, patience, aim, chopstick manuvering and more! Ninja costumes are encouraged! For ages 5-12. Aventuras in the Kitchen Wednesday, Oct. 10 • 6:30-7:15 p.m. Kids will learn to make fun and healthy Mexican snacks like aguas frescas/fruity drinks and tortilla wraps. For ages 6 and older. PAWS for Reading Saturday, Oct. 13 • 1-2 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry,
Patrocinado por el Centro Hispano y el Fideicomiso de las Bibliotecas de Tulsa. Informes al 918-549-7597.
TulsaLibrary.org/hrc BIBLIOTECA REGIONAL HARDESTY Flamenco en la biblioteca Lunes, 15 de octubre • 6:30-7:15 p.m. Prepárense a mover con Lexy y Reflejos Flamencos a esta música y baile clásicos de España en nuestra celebración de mes de la herencia hispana. BIBLIOTECA REGIONAL RUDISILL Baile con Tierra Mestiza Jueves, 18 de octubre • 3:30-4:45 p.m. El mes de la herencia hispana cobra vida con los bailes tradicionales de este grupo folclorico. Estan invitados! Toda la familia.
clases de informática BIBLIOTECA REGIONAL MARTIN Aula de práctica Miércoles, 3, 10, 17 de octubre 9:30-11:30 a.m. • Abrimos el 'salón de cómputo' para los que quieran aprovechar el tiempo para practicar con el teclado, el ratón o navegar el Internet, llenar formularios o aplicaciones. La maestra estará presente como personal de apoyo. Para todas las edades. El internet y sus usos "Gratis" Miércoles, 3 de octubre • 6:15-8:30 p.m. En esta clase te familiarizarás con los usos "gratis" del internet para encontrar recursos para hacer tareas, buscar trabajo, aprender inglés, etc. Para todas las edades.
Videos (YouTube), música, fotos: Medios de comunicación en línea Miércoles, 10 de octubre • 6:15-8:30 p.m. En esta clase te familiarizarás con los servicios en línea que te conectarán a programas de televisión, música y/o tus propios videos, gratis. Para todas las edades. Dropbox: Tus fotos, documentos y videos van contigo a todas partes Miércoles, 17 de octubre • 6:15-8:30 p.m. En esta clase aprenderás el uso de "Dropbox"-un servicio en línea para el almacenamiento de tus fotos, documentos y videos. Para todas las edades. Correo Electrónico I Miércoles, 24 de octubre • 9:30-11:30 a.m. Les enseñaremos cómo crear una cuenta de correo electrónico y cómo usarla para enviar y recibir correo. Para todas las edades. Conoce tu biblioteca en línea y sus servicios para tí Miércoles, 24 de octubre • 6:15-8:30 p.m. En esta clase aprenderás cómo navegar la página oficial de la biblioteca y el Centro Hispano; cómo encontrar tus libros y música, estudiar para tu GED, mejorar tu inglés, practicar para tu examen de ciudadanía y mucho más. Para todas las edades. Correo Electrónico II Miércoles, 31 de octubre • 9:30-11:30 a.m. Les enseñaremos cómo usar el correo electrónico más eficientemente, creando carpetas, abriendo archivos, guardando fotos. Para todas las edades.
Conoce tu vecindario y sus servicios en línea Miércoles, 31 de octubre • 6:15-8:30 p.m. En esta clase identificarás qué servicios puedes encontrar en tu vecindario y ciudad además de qué servicios puedes accesar vía internet en tu biblioteca más cercana y/o desde tu casa. Para todas las edades.
programas infantiles BIBLIOTECA REGIONAL MARTIN Cuentitos Bilingües Miércoles, 3, 17, 24 de octubre 6:30-7 p.m. Jueves, 4, 11, 18, 25 de octubre 11-11:30 a.m. Disfruta cuentos, canciones, y actividades en inglés y español. Para niños 1 a 5 años. Aventuras en la cocina Miércoles, 10 de octubre • 6:30-7:15 p.m. Vamos a enseñar a los niños a hacer comida sana y sencilla... ¡y divertida! Para niños de 6 años y mayors. BIBLIOTECA SCHUSTERMANBENSON Cuentos bilingües infantiles Martes, 2 de octubre • 10:30-11 a.m. Para niños de 3 a 5 años de edad. Mis primeros cuentos bilingües Miércoles, 3 de octubre 10-10:20 a.m. • 10:30-10:50 a.m. Para recién nacidos y niños de hasta 2 años de edad y los que les cuidan.
T ulsa c i t y - c ount y l i brar y e v e nt gu i d e
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c h i l d r e n ’ s (Martin Regional Library continued)
four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Dreamtime Yoga Thursday, Oct. 18 • 7-7:45 p.m. Children and their families are invited to practice quieting the mind and relaxing their bodies with gentle stretches and breathing exercises led by an experienced yogi. Loosefitting pajamas are encouraged to help your child go from feeling silly to sleepy. For ages 4-12. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust. Paint a Pumpkin Friday, Oct. 19 • 2-3 p.m. Decorate a pint-sized pumpkin, enter it in our competition, win a prize and display it in the library! For ages 8-12. Supplies are limited. Dangerous Book for Boys: Build a Battery Saturday, Oct. 27 • 2-3 p.m. Build a battery that is powerful enough to light a lightbulb! Enjoy snacks while learning about the uses for batteries. Play a battery trivia game, and the winners will receive a prize. For ages 8-12. Preregistration is required. Seating is limited. Call 918549-7590 to register.
nathan hale Library Preschool Storytime Thursdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 10:30-11 a.m. • For ages 5 and younger. PAWS for Reading Saturday, Oct. 27 • 1-2 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Preregistration is required. Call 918-549-7617 to register.
Owasso Library My First Storytime Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 9:30-9:45 a.m. • For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers. Preschool Storytime Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10-10:30 a.m. • For ages 3-5. Stay and Play Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10:30-11 a.m. • After our regularly scheduled storytime, join us for games, toys and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 1-5 and their caregivers.
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Homeschool Storytime Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 1:30-2:30 p.m. • Homeschooled children are invited to join us for stories and a craft. For ages 5-12.
Performance: Tierra Mestiza Thursday, Oct. 18 • 3:30-4:45 p.m. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with these folklore dancers. For ages 5-12.
PAWS for Reading Thursday, Oct. 4 • 4:30-5:30 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust. Preregistration is required. Seating is limited. Call 918549-7624 to register.
Ductivities Friday, Oct. 26 • 2-4:30 p.m. Get crafty with duct tape. For ages 5-12.
Sensory Storytime Saturday, Oct. 6 • 10:30-11 a.m. Does your child have difficulty sitting through storytime? If so, this inclusive, interactive program of stories, songs and activities may be just what you are looking for! Sensory Storytime focuses on learning with all five senses and is especially designed for children with a variety of learning styles or sensory integration challenges. Preregistration is required. Register online at http://kids.tulsalibrary.org/ sensorystorytime or by calling 918-5497624. For ages 2-7 and their caregivers.
¡Uno, Dos, Tres con Andrés! Monday, Oct. 1 • 10:30-11:15 a.m. Andrés Salguero will present an interactive children's program that teaches Spanish language and Latin American culture. Children sing, shake and sound out rhythms while trying regional Latin dances and practicing Spanish words. For ages 6 and younger. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust.
Owasso Mother-Daughter Book Club Thursday, Oct. 18 • 6-7 p.m. Read a selected book together and then join us for this fun discussion. Copies of the book are available at the library. For girls ages 9-12 and their moms. Preregistration is required. Call 918-549-7624 to register.
My First Storytime Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10-10:20 a.m. • 10:30-10:50 a.m. For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers.
Stay and Play Storytime Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10:30-11:30 a.m. • Enjoy storytime and then stay after for games and activities that foster critical early literacy skills. For ages 5 and younger.
PAWS for Reading Monday, Oct. 15 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust.
PAWS for Reading Saturday, Oct. 20 • 2-3 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite books to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust.
Books and More Monday, Oct. 29 • 3:30-4:15 p.m. Have fun with books, ideas and activities. For ages 5-12.
Family Fun Night Tuesday, Oct. 23 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join us for fun stories and crafts. For ages 10 and younger and their families.
pratt Library Preschool Storytime Thursdays • 10:30-11:30 a.m. For ages 5 and younger and their caregivers. Oct. 4 • Orange (wear or bring something orange) Oct. 11 • Pumpkins Oct. 18 • Fall Craft Day Oct. 25 • Halloween Party and Parade (wear your costume and bring treats to share)
Get Your Game On @ TCCL Friday, Oct. 26 • 2-4:30 p.m. Play board and Wii games. For ages 5-12.
SchustermanBenson Library
Preschool Storytime Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 10:30-11 a.m. • For ages 3-5.
skiatook Library
October Skies Saturday, Oct. 6 • 2-3 p.m. Celebrate National Rocketry Month with our favorite science teacher, Lisa Seay. Bring an empty 2-liter bottle to make a water rocket. For ages 5-11.
Preschool Storytime Thursdays • 11 a.m.-noon Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and a craft. For ages 6 and younger. Oct. 4 • Boats, Boats, Boats! Oct. 11 • Tall and Funny Tales Oct. 18 • Trains and Planes! Oct. 25 • Spooky Spiders
Rudisill Regional Library
suburban acres Library
Preschool Storytime Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10-10:30 a.m. • For ages 2-5. An adult must accompany 2-year-olds.
¡Uno, Dos, Tres con Andrés! Tuesday, Oct. 2 • 10:30-11:15 a.m. Andrés Salguero will present an interactive children's program that teaches Spanish language and Latin
T u l s a L i b r a r y . o r g
American culture. Children sing, shake and sound out rhythms while trying regional Latin dances and practicing Spanish words. For ages 6 and younger. Sponsored by the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust.
Zarrow Regional Library ¡Uno, Dos, Tres con Andrés! Monday, Oct. 1 • 6:30-7:45 p.m. Andrés Salguero will present an interactive children's program that teaches Spanish language and Latin American culture. Children sing, shake and sound out rhythms while trying regional Latin dances and practicing Spanish words. Before Andrés' presentation, enjoy refreshments and have fun making a crepe paper flower. For ages 6 and younger. Sponsored by the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust. My First Storytime Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 10-10:20 a.m. • For newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers.
Library Lego League Saturday, Oct. 27 • 2-3 p.m. Build a Lego creation. Legos will be provided, or you may bring your own. For ages 5-12.
Free and Open to the Public If you are hearing-impaired and need a qualified interpreter, please call the library 48 hours in advance of the program. The Tulsa Book Review and Tulsa City-County Library Event Guide are printed on partially recycled paper.
The Tulsa City-County Library Event Guide is produced by the Public Relations Office of the Tulsa City-County Library. For questions or concerns, call 918-549-7389.
Book Reviews Category
Romance SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
Where Azaleas Bloom: A Sweet Magnolia Novel By Sherryl Woods MIRA, $7.99, 384 pages Check this out! Pick up a Sweet Magnolia Novel at your peril: It will absolutely grab you and NOT let go until the very last page. Throughout this series, I think almost every problem facing a woman of today has been dissected by the ladies of Serenity, South Carolina. But, of course, there are always more difficulties through which to wade. Lynn Morrow thought she’d chosen well when she married Ed all those years ago. He was a good provider and father to their two children, even if there weren’t lots of sparks. Suddenly, he asks for a divorce—no reason given—and promptly turns into the husband from hell! She isn’t getting the support money he’d promised, and the cupboards are almost bare. Not to mention the bank is threatening foreclosure. Before she chose Ed, however, there was another candidate for her hand and her love. Mitch Franklin was head-over-heels, even though Lynn mostly ignored him. So he married Amy and had two sons, and then his world was blasted apart by a drunk driver. At least he had a solid business—contractor/designer—to fall back on and keep him busy. His current project is the house next door to Lynn’s. Her fondest dream was a backyard of blooming azaleas. Watch out: The ending, while happy, is a real shocker! Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz Along Came a Duke: Rhymes With Love By Elizabeth Boyle Avon, $7.99, 384 pages Check this out! This would be a great book to take on a cruise. In case you should become stranded on a desert isle, this would make a dandy companion. You could read it over and over again and not get tired of it, because you’d discover some new thing that would amuse
you and keep you interested—and turning pages. Tabitha Timmons, an orphan who is a month or so away from becoming a penniless spinster, suddenly becomes an heiress! Well now, isn’t that amazing? Especially as, in order to get her inheritance, she has to marry the exceedingly upright Mr. Barkworth, who has evidently never even heard the word ‘humor,’ much less experienced anything witty. Dull, dry, but gorgeous! Unfortunately, his mama is also the former, but definitely not the latter. In the meantime, Tabitha is discovered by a Mr. Preston, who is dashing and amusing and kisses like an angel (or is that devil?) plus he likes her dog, Mr. Muggins. (The Barkser folks definitely don’t!) Preston refuses to let his Tabby be swept up by the Barksleys or whatever their name is. (His memory is very selective.) Tabitha’s friends, Harriet and Daphne, along with Preston’s friend (and Harry’s cousin Lord Roxley) join in the conspiracy to smooth the path of true love with a load of laughter. Totally delightful! Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz Catching Fireflies By Sherryl Woods Mira, $7.99, 384 pages Check this out! Bullying has become the topic du jour, it seems, reflecting only too well the prominence of this once hidden activity; and about time, too! One of the better books on the topic is this one: Catching Fireflies book 2 of a new trilogy of Sweet Magnolia tales by Sherryl Woods. Actually, these are the Senior Sweets! It’s probably reasonable to think that hardly anyone understands the mind and/ or thoughts of a teenager, not even another
teen. Unfortunately, all too often, the one topic a teen needs to bring out in the open— at least to a parent—is the one topic that’s untouchable. Different families have different ‘untouchables.’ A caring and engaged teacher, Laura Reed, notices that Misty, one of her brightest students, has started skipping class. Since academics are not the problem, what is? She’s unwilling to ignore this, and enlists the help of another student. Perhaps the pending divorce of Misty’s parents is part of the problem, which makes it impossible for Misty to seek help or advice from her parents. She’s a smart girl, however, so she turns to her pediatrician, J. C. Fullerton, for help. He’d lose his license were he to do what she asks, but his insistence that Misty consult another adult brings Laura into his world, as an additional benefit. This book should be required reading for all parents! Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz
swashbuckling adventure story. That story then develops into an elegant, sophisticated sting, starring the middle of the three Noirot sisters, Sophy, and a hero every woman should fall in love with – Harry Fairfax, the Earl of Longmore. The reader may well recall these characters from the first book in the series – Silk is for Seduction. In that book Longmore’s sister Clara was deprived of her anticipated bridegroom the Duke of Cleveden, who was totally enchanted by Sophy’s older sister Marcelline. Here we have the naïve Clara harassed by her socialite mother into finding another husband, immediately if not sooner. Unfortunately, she allows herself to be thrust into a major scandal by the ne’er-do-well Adderley. When it’s almost too late Clara suddenly finds her backbone and runs away, in company with her maid. Hard on her heels come Longmore and Sophy, accompanied by Fenwick, the street boy they’re determined to reclaim as a wor-
Scandal Wears Satin By Loretta Chase Avon, $7.99, 384 pages Check this out! This extraordinary compendium of early Victorian costume is cleverly disguised as a
Scandal Wears Satin Cont’d on page 14
An Online Book Discussion Group If you’re a fan of the romance genre, then this is the book discussion group for you! During the first week of each month, the chosen title will be posted along with a few opening discussion questions. Each week, additional questions will be posted.
s er’ b o t Oc itle: t
Participants are encouraged to join the discussion and post their own questions and comments.
Tulsa Book Review • October 2012 • 9
Book Reviews Category
Kids Books SNAP IT for additional book summaries. The Dragon Prophecy: The Fourth Adventure in the Kingdom of Fantasy By Geronimo Stilton Scholastic Books, $14.99, 320 pages Check this out! Geronimo Stilton is a mouse who runs the most “famouse” newspaper on Mouse Island, the Rodent’s Gazette. This is the fourth book in the Kingdom of Fantasy series. As in the other books, in a dream he travels to the Kingdom of Fantasy, where he makes friends and helps them with big problems. The Kingdom is really cool, with a lot of Dark Forces and Good Forces who fight all the time. There are dragons, fairies,
trolls, witches, pixies, and other creatures. This time he had to find the silver dragon egg, the last existing one, because someone stole it. I liked The Dragon Prophecy a lot. There are some funny parts and scary parts, too (but not really scary, just fun scary). When he first gets to the Kingdom of the Silver Dragons, he has to walk through an underground cave; it’s very dark and he’s a scaredy mouse! Geronimo also has to go to the Garden of the Seven Sisters; I liked where it changed from one season to another and Geronimo received seven gifts to help him with his quest. I also liked visiting the Land of the Trolls—they were disgusting. The story was easy to predict, but it was still fun to read because it has a lot of great illustrations. Reviewed by Zachary, age 5
If Mira burped her or bounced her or did her best acrobatic trick, her answer was “Waaaaaa!” When they talked about what to name her on simchat bat, her naming day, Mira thought Siren was the perfect name. They closed the doors and the sound went on. Mira played songs on her recorder. She hid in her pillow fort. She even put underwear in her ears, but the noise went on. At last it was naming day. The rabbi came, the family came, and the noise went on. Small gifts were bestowed on the baby and the noise went on. Until, that is, Mira gave her sister a gift. This charming picture book not only tells a wonderful story but will introduce many to the Jewish tradition of naming day. The illustrations are sweet and the perfect complement to this story. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Basher: 123 By Simon Basher Kingfisher, $16.99, 48 pages Check this out! Children have minds like sponges and they will soak up everything they are shown, but they love to learn best when the learn-
ing comes in a fun and attractive package. Learning number and counting is no exception to that. Simon Basher, author, illustrator, and designer, is just the person to put together a new counting book, a companion if you will to his very popular Basher: ABC Kids. The illustrations really carry this large-format book. The bright, stylized, Anime-influenced drawings splash happily across each spread – a spread for each number one through twenty. And each spread has an uncommon sentence to support that bright, colorful illustration. “Seven tiny rabbits jump around in cowboy hats” is an example of the silliness that will delight little listeners. In addition, each spread has all the numbers running across the bottom of the left-hand page so little ones will see each number in the context with all other numbers one through twenty. Children will be charmed by this new counting book. It will help to build that so important foundation of counting all need to learn. Reviewed by rosi hollinbeck
Category
Picture Books SNAP IT for additional book summaries. I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! By Karen Beaumont and David Catrow (illustrator) HMH Books, $11.99, 30 pages Check this out! This humorous, big-sized board book is a winner! Karen Beaumont writes an easy verse that almost sings itself and illustrator David Catrow splashes bright, bold colors across each page. A young toddler paints pictures on the floor, walls, doors, and everything in sight, and when his mother sees what he has done, she plops him in the bathtub and hollers, “Ya ain’t a-gonna paint no more!” The young toddler tries not to paint and he affirms he “…ain’t gonna paint…,” he “… ain’t gonna paint,” but he truly can’t help himself and before you know it, he’s taken some red….and painted his head! He finds, “…there ain’t no harm if I paint my…arm!”
And so the rhyme goes, with suspense and surprise at every page turn. Suspense thrills right up to his last verse: “But I’m such a nut, gonna paint my—,“ and just in time he runs out of paint! Painted from head to toe in messy, bright, and glorious colors, he once again ends up in the bathtub! A terrific readaloud for the preschool through third-grade crowds. Your child—and you—will laugh all the way through. Reviewed by Susan Roberts A Song for My Sister By Lesley Simpson, Tatjana Mai-Wyss (illustrator) Random House Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 32 pages Check this out! Mira made a wish at the wishing well. It took four long years for her wish to come true, but it finally did. She had a new sister. Who would have ever thought that such a tiny creature could be so loud? If Mom fed her, her answer was “Waaaaaaa!” If Dad danced with her, her answer was “Waaaaaa!”
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Tulsa Book Review • October 2012 • 10
Book Reviews Category
Teen Scene SNAP IT for additional book summaries. Shadow and Bone By Leigh Bardugo Henry Holt and Co., $17.99, 356 pages Check this out! Alina has been an orphan all her life. She and her best friend Mal have always been close to each other, and both enroll in the army, being one of few choices open to them. Neither does magic, which would get them shipped away to prestigious schools. Instead they serve their country near the border of the Unsea- a terrible place of monsters that divides Ravka. While crossing the Unsea, it
is revealed that Alina has a gift that could save the entire kingdom. She gets torn away from everything and everyone she knows and is put into a world of immense pressure and no choices. But she does have one choice- is she doing the right thing? Shadow and Bone is a one-of-a-kind book that is effortlessly written and seamed together. It is filled with darkness, inner strength, intrigue, romance, and action. The ending made me want to applaud the author for bringing the story full circle by tying together the beginning and ending. Throughout the whole book, Veronica Roth’s quote resounded in my head and I could only agree wholeheartedly: “Unlike anything I’ve ever read.” Reviewed by Amanda Muir
Category
Tween Reads SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
of his name. They call him Gorgeous and just generally give him a hard time. When Georges’s family moves, he meets a boy his age named Safer who is running a spy club. Georges joins, only to find there are just the two of them. Safer doesn’t go to school, so he has lots of time do spy things. Safer claims there is a guy in the building who is up to no good, and he gets Georges involved in some pretty scary detective work. Rebecca Stead has written a complex, fascinating little thriller for the middle-grade crowd who will be lining up to get their hands on this one. The characters are rich and realistic, the story believable and fun. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Lost in Paris (Mira’s Diary) By Marissa Moss Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, $12.99, 205 pages Check this out! Mira’s mother has been missing for six months. Then a faded postcard signed by her arrives from Paris. Mira’s father, a renowned photographer, has received a fellowship to photograph Wonders of the World. Immediately he decides the first stop is Paris, and he takes Mira and her brother Malcolm with him.
In the Notre Dame cathedral, touching a stone gargoyle spins Mira into nineteenth century Paris—the world of the Impressionists and the era of the infamous Dreyfus affair. In Montemartre she spies her mother, who mysteriously bolts. A later note from Mom explains she and Mira each have an important job to do in order to thwart a terrible plot. To do her part, Mira visits more than one decade. (There are some clever scenes where her artist friends have aged but she mysteriously has not.) Meanwhile, other time travelers are on the scene—or scenes—with plans of their own. The author deftly weaves the lives of famous painters, a courageous literary figure, a soldier unjustly accused of spying, and a sobering era of social injustice into a fine, gripping tale. Mira is an engaging protagonist readers will enjoy spending time with. Reviewed by Elizabeth Varadan
NEW YOUNG ADULT FICTION Search the library’s catalog at http://tulsalibrary.org to reserve your copies now.
Tokyo Heist Ungifted By Gordon Korman Balzer + Bray, $16.99, 288 pages Check this out! Donovan Curtis is a screwup of the first order. Everything he touches turns to, well ... you know. When he decides it will be fun to whop the Atlas statue that looms over his middle school, he has no idea how he will change the course of the world. After being hit, Atlas seems to shrug and sends the world crashing down into the gymnasium, where a basketball tournament is going on. Superintendent Schultz catches Donovan before he can get away, and because Schultz can’t deal with the problem right away, he jots down Donovan’s name for later punishment. When Donovan’s parents receive a letter, Donovan thinks his life is over. But instead of being raked over the coals, he is sent to the Academy of Scholas-
tic Distinction—a school for the gifted and talented. Donovan sees it as a place to hide out for a while, but he knows he can never fit in. What happens there is the wackiest series of events imaginable. Gordon Korman has written an absolute gem of a story with more twists and turns than a robotics tournament course. Kids will laugh out loud and wish this romp would never end. Highly recommended for everyone, especially boys. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck Liar & Spy By Rebecca Stead Wendy Lamb Books, $15.99, 192 pages Check this out! Georges is going through a tough time. His dad lost his job and his mom works double shifts at the hospital. Worse, they have to sell their house and move to an apartment. And Georges had the best room ever. His father had designed a bed made from a fire escape and, since it was bolted to the wall, it had to stay. School is okay, but Georges gets a lot of static from the local bullies because Tulsa Book Review • October 2012 • 11
By Diana Renn • Sixteen-year-old Violet doesn’t have any exciting plans for the summer – that is, until her dad is commissioned to paint a mural in Tokyo, and Violet, who is heavily into manga and Japanese culture, gets to tag along. And when her dad’s clients are the victims of a major art theft, Violet veers into dangerous territory by attempting to find and foil the culprits herself.
Team Human
By Justine Larbalestier • Mel and her best friends Cathy and Anna all live in New Whitby, a Maine town that was founded by vampires, but despite the night-creatures’ government status as a protected group, Mel believes that vamps and humans shouldn’t mix. When Francis, a 150-year-old vampire, enrolls at their school – and Cathy starts falling for him – Mel realizes that it’s up to her to save Cathy from a mistake she might literally regret for eternity.
Monument 14
By Emmy Laybourne • When a monster hailstorm hits their town, 14 kids are trapped inside a superstore to weather it. But, as they learn from the sole TV that’s still working, their nightmare has only begun. A volcanic eruption has triggered a massive chain of apocalyptic events, including a mega-storm that destroyed a research facility and released a poison cloud of experimental toxins into the atmosphere.
Book Reviews
MYSTERIES/THRILLERS Category
Fantasy SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
COMING SOON
TO TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY Search the library’s catalog at http://tulsalibrary.org to reserve your copies now.
Faithful Unto Death
By Stephanie Jaye Evans Walker (“Bear”) Wells, a former college football player who has become a minister in Sugar Land, Texas, finds himself being swept up into the investigation after a man is found murdered on a local golf course.
Not Dead Yet
By Peter James Protecting a Hollywood star during her latest film shoot days after an attempt on her life, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace investigates a seemingly unrelated murder miles away, only to find himself in a desperate race against time to stop a maniacal killer who is obsessed with the actress.
Hunter and Fox By Philippa Ballantine Pyr, $17.95, 340 pages Check this out! Hunter and Fox by Philippa Ballantine is a fascinating new sword and sorcery fantasy using the metaphor of chaos to explore questions of human identity. Our characters must survive on land that’s emerging from primal chaos. At the edges, meadows one month may be a mountain range the next. This makes the land and the magical abilities of the beings who populate it unpredictable. As people, we think of ourselves as the sum total of our experiences, yet Talyn the Dark has chosen to edit her memories. She’s a bounty hunter who uses some of her magical abilities to kill for the Lord of this land. Perhaps she could change for the better if only some memories returned. Finnbarr the Fox is a talespinner who remembers stories of the time before this Lord emerged from the chaos and asserted his power. When the Lord sends Talyn to kill Finn, there may be hope for positive change. Writing in a rich prose style, Philippa Ballantine has created some memorable characters who must explore who they are and decide what they can become. It all builds to a wonderful cliffhanger ending and I’ve already ordered my copy of the next in the series. Reviewed by David Marshall
Pathfinder Tales: Nightglass By Liane Merciel Paizo Publishing, $9.99, 384 pages Check this out! Nidal is a rather gloomy nation, where the shadowcallers of the dark god ZonKuthon excel in the arts of torture and can summon demons to do their bidding. Isiem is taken from his home at a young age to begin training to become one of these shadowcallers. His magical abilities are strong, his potential great. And yet... he chafes at the yoke of his god, and secretly dreams of a life in which he’s in control of his own destiny. When Isiem is assigned to help an allied nation secure a profitable silver deposit by taking out the humanoid race who currently claim that land, he is presented with a potentially life-changing opportunity. Nightglass is full of deadly magic, a frightening god, and some seriously blurred morality. These elements and more are sure to keep readers enthralled to the last page. This is a great stand-alone fantasy novel; like all of the Pathfinder Tales, one does not need to have read past books or even be familiar with the Pathfinder world to enjoy the story. In a world where more and more fantasy novels are just one part of an epic series, it’s refreshing to find a good story contained in a single book. Reviewed by Holly Scudero
Tulsa Book Review • October 2012 • 12
A Death in the Small Hours
By Charles Finch Visiting his uncle’s estate in Somerset for what he hopes will be a quiet working vacation, politician and new father Charles Lenox investigates a series of seemingly small acts of vandalism only to uncover a sinister plot by an adversary who may be targeting someone Lenox loves.
The Dark Winter
By David Mark Investigating a series of suspicious deaths and discovering that each victim was the sole survivor of a tragedy, Detective Sergeant Aector McAvoy of the northern England port of Hull struggles to balance the demand of the case with the needs of his beloved family.
Island of Bones
By Imogen Robertson A continuation of the series that includes Instruments of Darkness and Anatomy of Murder finds reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther investigating an ancient tomb where an extra body and clues about Crowther’s haunting past are discovered.
The Gemini Virus
By Wil Mara In the wake of a pandemic virus that rapidly spreads throughout the world killing millions of people, Dennis and Andi Jensen flee the ensuing panic and escape to the mountains while scientist Cara Porter makes a potentially fatal mistake in her laboratory.
Book Reviews Category
Science Fiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
The Broken Universe By Paul Melko Tor Books, $27.99, 384 pages Check this out! Tricked out of his life by a duplicitous alternate version of himself, John Rayburn found himself alone, stranded, and hunted by a brutal band of exiled extradimensional conquerors. Now their leader is dead, John has found love and friends once more, and he’s returned to the universe that has become his home. But a host of new challenges await him, as he and his intrepid band begin building an interdimensional business, meeting other versions of themselves, and finding the multiverse to be a vastly more dangerous and complicated place than they’d ever imagined. The Broken Universe continues the multilayered, expansive story of The Walls of the Universe, exploring the consequences of John’s previous actions, both intentional and unintentional. But while I found the first book a bit underwhelming, I was thoroughly impressed with where the story has gone. Melko does a phenomenal job of keeping the reader from getting lost, despite numerous alternate universes and duplicate characters, and the myriad twists and turns of the book are evidence of an author who has given incredible depth of thought to the huge and trivial ways that John and his friends could affect the multiverse. The Broken Universe is great, mindbending storytelling. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Blue Remembered Earth By Alastair Reynolds Ace, $26.95, 505 pages Check this out! Alastair Reynolds’s new hard science fiction novel, Blue Remembered Earth, is a solar system-spanning adventure centered around the death of the Akyina family’s matriarch. One hundred and fifty years from
now, when Eunice Akyina dies her death will trigger a series of events that send a systemwide business empire reeling and two of her grandchildren to Mars and beyond in an attempt to figure out just who their grandmother was and what she might have been hiding from her family, her enemies, and humanity for so long. Reynolds’s Earth is a much changed place from the one familiar to us: humans are cybernetically augmented with the ability to virtually be anywhere on the planet, or the moon; a complex omnipresent computer monitor ensures that crime and violence are not possible; transparency is the watchword; those wishing to escape such oversight are restricted to a tiny crater in the moon’s surface. While Reynolds’s science fiction is enough to keep you reading, it is the care he takes in creating his characters that will keep you reading; while this is a fantastic view of the future, it is the human drama he paints with words that make this a wonderful piece of writing. Reviewed by Jonathon Howard Manhattan in Reverse By Peter F. Hamilton Subterranean Press, $40.00, 272 pages Check this out! Peter F. Hamilton is known for his epic science fiction books. Epic both in length and in the ideas he packs into each book. It is a rare treat to get a short story collection from Mr. Hamilton. This collection contains six previously published short stories, and one brand new short story. Most are novella length, only a few are short. Mr. Hamilton shows his diversity of style and topics with this collection. From a murder case that spans two hundred years of time and space, people trying to leave Earth for a new home that will change the way we live, a time travel story that is not quite what it seems in the end, the idea of genetically changing animals and man at the same time, and a police procedural story that finishes it out.
Tulsa Book Review • October 2012 • 13
This collection starts off strong. The first three are really good stories. They get your anticipation up, wanting more from Mr. Hamilton. As a writer not known for writing short stories he sure can keep each story self-contained. Unfortunately, towards the end the stories are not as good as the earlier ones. The final two stories are kind of disappointing. This book will please fans of Mr. Hamilton’s work. Reviewed by Kevin Winter Doctor Who: Shada: The Lost Adventure By Douglas Adams and Gareth Roberts Ace Hardcover, $26.95, 400 pages Check this out! For over fifty years, the name Doctor Who has reigned over science fiction. While there is no shortage of books based on the Doctor, this one book is very special. In 1979, Douglas Adams wrote the episode “Shada,” and it was supposed to be the final episode of the season. “Shada” was never finished. Now, over twenty years later, Ga-
reth Roberts has collected Adams’s scripts and compiled them into a new book. The story is about the Doctor and his Time Lord companion, Romana. A deadly Gallifreyan book has fallen into the hands of Skagra, a man that wants to create a universal mind that he controls. It is up to the Doctor, K-9, Romana, and a slew of wonderful new characters to defeat Skagra’s evil plan. Roberts did an amazing job piecing together this Frankenstein project. Shada’s greatest strength is that it is a triumph of Douglas Adams’s ability to combine drama and humor. Never does the book feels overly melan- choly, or too funny, but is balanced in all of the aspects. I love how this is the Tom Baker Doctor and not a more recent incarnation. The story was built around that type of Doctor and only that type of Doctor would have worked in these situations. The pace of the book is fantastic; there was never a lull. Shada is a complete masterpiece that will wow any fans of the Doctor, new or old. Reviewed by Kevin Brown
Traveling the Mother Road this fall?
Download the Guide to Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives for diners on this route and many others.
Category
Biography & Memoir SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
I Got a Name: The Jim Croce Story By Ingrid Croce and Jimmy Rock Da Capo Press, $25.00, 340 Pages Check this out! We’ve all heard the songs “Time in a Bottle,” “Operator,” and “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song;” beautiful music from a life taken so early. I always thought that Jim Croce must have been a kind and beautiful man based on the heartfelt lyrics of his songs, that is until I read I Got a Name. It must have taken Ingrid Croce a long time to reconcile Jim’s behavior, and while he was all of the things I stated above, according to her, he was also angry and abusive. Ingrid Croce talks a lot about Jim’s struggles to make it in the music world, people who took advantage of him, and even once his songs did make it on to the radio he still wasn’t getting paid. He would hear his songs on the radio and not have a dime in his pocket, touring constantly, never getting to see his family, and the constant pressure put on him by his promoters. Nearly forty years after Croce’s death, Ingrid Croce has painted a fairly even-handed picture of who Jim Croce was. After reading the book I can see why it might have taken her that long as there was a lot of pain involved. The book is very well done. A lot of thought, love, and time went into I Got a Name. Reviewed by Marc Filippelli Dear Marcus: A Letter to the Man Who Shot Me By Jerry McGill Spiegel & Grau, $22.00, 192 pages Check this out! Why do bad things happen to good people is an unanswerable question. A random event, a shooting by an unknown sniper, hits thirteen-year-old Jerome McGill in the cervical spine and transforms this fun-loving, buoyant youth into a dependent paraplegic. Now in his forties, and still perplexed
by the random brutality of the senseless act, the author addresses his anonymous assailant and informs him of how his pointless act changed his life and shifted his direction. With sardonic humor, McGill recounts his conversion from an ebullient youth aiming for a career on the stage or in sports to a thoughtful writer now dedicated to working with youth and the handicapped. Ever optimistic, the letter describes how with the loving support of his family and medical personnel he overcame the shock of the instant, unforeseen transformation to his life and how he accommodated to the change, since there was no other choice. Written with ironic wit, the author is dauntless and tries not to allow the accident to interfere with his life choices. Life often is a craps game, and how we deal with it depends on character. This is one guy with the qualities of a whimsical saint. Reviewed by Aron Row Just Send Me Word By Orlando Figes Metropolitan Books, $28.00, 352 pages Check this out! The largest cache of letters exchanged by a gulag prisoner and his friend, who later became his wife, form the scaffolding and the heart of this wondrous book. Lev and Sveta Mishchenko met as university students in Moscow in the early 1940s, both keen to pursue a career in science. But politics intervened and Lev was banished on a trumped up charge to an isolated Arctic prison camp. For years, the two shared details of their daily life, bolstering each others’ spirits, recording without self-pity the deprivation and their perpetual fears. Twice Sveta fudged business trips almost recklessly to pay illegal visits to the camp.
Orlando Figes, an author and professor who is a specialist in modern Russian history, weaves historical details into the narrative with beautifully translated excerpts from their fifteen hundred letters. Several outstanding memoirs and novels have been written by former gulag prisoners, but this new book has a special sensitivity, describing a love story that blossomed into a happy ending, or rather a new beginning, when Lev was released from the gulag in 1954 and the couple married. Reviewed by Jane Manaster Burying the Typewriter: A Memoir By Carmen Bugan Graywolf Press, $15.00, 224 pages Check this out! Carmen Bugan’s memoir of growing up with her political dissident father brings the suffering the Communist regime in Romania upon all. Not just those directly involved – but the families of those fighting for the rights of people. The suffering the Bugan family is profound and saddening – but not at all uncommon for that time period. What Bugan does best is dissect the incredible confusion resulting from the conflicting
feelings for her father and the hardships he brought upon the family. On one hand, he’s her hero. But on the other, he’s the reason she has to leave everything she’s known to flee to another country and start all over. Her journey to making peace with her past, his past, and their future is heartwarming – and wasn’t easy. I would recommend Burying The Typewriter to all- especially those with an interest in politics and political revolutions. Bugan’s memoir is heartfelt and moving, and the ending is well worth the 200 pages leading up to it for sure! Reviewed by Elizabeth Raymond
Scandal Wears Satin Cont’d from page 14 don to Portsmouth in a hooded phaeton, the erstwhile trio easily outmatch the miserable Clara. In the process Sophy ensnares the Earl with a striptease in reverse: she begins in innocence, nude, and slowly progresses to a fully-dressed and totally-captivating, still innocent, fashion plate, delightful! The entire book is, as well. Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz
October is National Archives Month!
Tulsa City-County Library offers a growing local history collection of digital primary resources, including photographs, maps, oral histories, books, newspaper clippings and more. T H E
D I G I TA L
C O L L E C T I O N S
I N C L U D E :
• Beryl Ford Collection – offering the largest and most significant collection of photographs and artifacts relevant to the history of Tulsa and surrounding areas • Refining in Tulsa: The Cosden Legacy Collection – showing refinery employee images and company publications • Developing Tulsa: The Austin Hellwig Collection – representing the development of Tulsa in roadway improvements from the ‘80s and ‘90s • Oral History Collection – recounting the experiences of pioneer Tulsans on medicine, lifestyles, architecture, government, business, education, journalism and many other subjects regarding the early history of Tulsa • The Levorsen Oil Photography Collection – presenting 300 images from the early days of the Oklahoma petroleum industry • Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 – featuring images from the library’s AfricanAmerican Resource Center These collections and others like them can be found on the local history subject guide: http://guides.tulsalibrary.org/localhistory.
Tulsa Book Review • October 2012 • 14
Image from Cosden Legacy Collection
Book Reviews
Book Reviews Category
to solidify disparate issues to create a truly solid approach to appreciate what makes success happen. I applaud Tough. He not only paints a picture of hope to those in intellectual distress, but he delivers the backbone that may serve to straighten out those who stray from their target and provide new hope for a generation of kids. Reviewed by D. Wayne Dworsky
Popular Culture SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture By Rob Salkowitz McGraw-Hill, $27.00, 304 pages Check this out! Comic-Con is a global phenomenon. It has become a centerpiece of pop culture, a barometer for the film industry, and a launchpad for products galore. With superhero movies ruling the box office and the progression toward digital media looming for businesses across the globe, Comic-Con might just prove to be the tipping point, determining the future of entertainment. Rob Salkowitz discusses the economic and cultural impact of the convention in Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture,
a melange of history, analysis, and commentary. Offering both an attendee’s understanding of the event itself and an experienced perspective on the business models that both contribute to the convention and emerge from it, Salkowitz is uniquely qualified to explore the full impact Comic-Con has had -- and continues to have -- on our culture. From the sustainability of the comics industry (and the comic book film industry) to the dangers and consequences of digital media, Salkowitz’s sage analysis and obvious business acumen presents an impressive and grounded counterpoint to the enjoyable fanboyish musings on the Big Two (Marvel and DC) and the perceived differences between comics and graphic novels. With forecasts, humor, and insight galore, Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture is both fun and fascinating. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas
Tibet Wild: A Naturalist’s Journeys on the Roof of the World By George B. Schaller Island Press, $29.95, 372 pages Check this out! In Tibet, brown bears invade deserted village houses, tempted by meat hanging from the rafters, by the chaotic debris left behind by nomad families gone to summer pastures. Naturalist George Schaller, once again showing partiality for mountain regions, returns to the high reaches of Tibet to lay the groundwork for a conservation program to protect an exotic species. He weaves together a personal memoir from his peripatetic childhood after World War II that set a pattern pursued ever since, as a mammalian biologist carrying out and publishing reports of fieldwork on several continents. The chapters read serendipitous-
ly, successively detailed accounts of tracking such animals as gorillas, tigers, and snow leopards all deserving protection to conserve a universally sound ecosystem. As he completes six decades of hands-on research, he admits waning enthusiasm for pursuing ‘scats and scrapes’ and praises technical innovations, especially GPS, DNA, and camera traps which allow scientific groundwork to be carried out in remote areas and then studied on computer screens anywhere in the world. The book is illustrated with maps and superb photographs. Reviewed by Jane Manaster
Category
Nature & Science SNAP IT for additional book summaries. How Children Succeed By Paul Tough Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $27.00, 272 pages Check this out! Through the many trials and tribulations of those he examines in his new book, Paul Tough explains what it takes to be successful in school. His use of character sketches outlines certain roads
which may lead in one direction or another, but it is his tenacity that directs the reader to those lesser-known areas—those that set the stage for understanding human behavior on a far deeper scale. Throughout the book, grit, curiosity, and the hidden power of character, as the subtitle suggests, are the qualities that underlie the desire to succeed. Tough is a new writer, with only one other title under his belt, but he delivers a strong argument with which readers can walk away from the book feeling a tad wiser than they had at the outset. He’s relied upon the wisdom of certain others who have attempted
Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust through a grant from the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation • “Hooray for Amanda and her alligator!” by Mo Willems. Copyright 2011.
Tulsa Book Review • October 2012 • 15