Tulsa
event guide
INSIDE!
Book Review 4 9 14
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9
F R E E
NEW AND OF INTEREST
C H E C K
I Quit Sugar
I T
Science, as only wizards can explain it Page 4
Quit sugar to improve your health Page 2
The Science of Discworld
The Coal Black Asphalt Tomb
O U T
Not what you expect to dig up Page 8
If Wishes Were Earls
Fatal Enquiry
By Will Thomas Minotaur Books, $25.99, 293 pages
15
July 2014
Congratulations to Tulsa City-County Library’s own Will Thomas for this latest installment in his Barker & Llewelyn series. Will Thomas is a library associate at the Broken Arrow Library. Picking up Fatal Enquiry for the first time is almost too much for me. I will freely admit it – I’m a huge fan of Will Thomas’ work, and the wait for the next installment in the Barker and Llewelyn series was tremendously stressful. What to do, when all else pales in comparison to Thomas’ fiendishly
clever world of mischief and mayhem in Victorian London? Fortunately for fans of Barker and Llewelyn, Fatal Enquiry doesn’t disappoint. Sebastian Nightwine returns to London, quickly hatching a scheme to frame Barker for murSee Fatal Enquiry, cont’d on page 8
Better than romance, a fast-paced page-turner Page 9
Sublime Nature: Photographs That Awe and Inspire The glory of nature Page 14
51 Reviews INSIDE!
Book Reviews
The book is jam-packed with great information in an easy-to-use format. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck
Category
Cooking SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
The Put ‘em Up! Preserving Answer Book: 399 Solutions to All Your Questions By Sherri Brooks Vinton Storey Publishing, LLC, $16.95, 256 pages Check this out! Everything that is old is new again, as the saying goes. Less than a century ago, most food and drink consumed by A mericans was home grown and home preserved. There were no supermarkets with shelves packed
with manufactured goods. People spent summers and autumns putting up just about every kind of food imaginable. It is a real art to be able to do this, and in many cases, that art has not been passed down. But there is a renewed interest in organic growing and home preserving with the advent of genetically altered foods. Sherri Brooks Vinton has put together a real gift for those who would like to take on the task of preserving their own food. She starts with the basics of why one might want to take on this task, where to obtain good food, and the basic kitchen skills one needs to accomplish this. She goes on to explain all the methods for preserving, and she gives some recipes. Ms. Vinton’s expertise is apparent on every page. She handles much of this in a question/answer format, and it is very effective.
Preserving by the Pint: Quick Seasonal Canning for Small Spaces From the Author of Food in Jars By Marisa McClellan Running Press, $23.00, 192 pages Check this out! Preser ving by the Pint has a plethora of recipes for sm a l l- batc h home preserving, resulting in just two or three quickly-made half-pints of something wonderfully delicious. All use either waterbath processing or take no canning at all, requiring only refrigeration after preparation. Great recipes for interesting pickles, like Kohlrabi Matchsticks, Sweet Pumpkin, Oyster Mushrooms, and Dilled Carrot Spears, snuggle alongside jams such as Blueberry with Crystallized Ginger, Pear with Chocolate, Salted Brown Sugar Peach, and Apricot Rosemary. The author includes Salsas (Green Tomato, Spicy Mango), Sauces (Pizza, Pear
FizzBoomRead TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY’S 2014 SUMMER READING PROGRAM
FOR CHILDREN • CONTINUES THROUGH AUG. 2
to Tulsa Shock game • Admission to Oklahoma Aquarium • Admission Admission Zoo • Admission toto Tulsa the Tulsa • and Space Museum Air to Tulsa Drillers game • Admission Admission Tulsa State Fair • Admission toto the Tulsa • Cinnamon sticks fromChildren’s Museum • Mazzio’s Italian Eatery bus ride on Tulsa Transit • Round-trip Chicken nuggets and milk or • apple juice from McDonald’s nuggets from Wendy’s • Chicken Glazed doughnut Krispy Kreme • Iced and decoratedfrom cookie from • Merritt’s Bakery
Bicycles with helmets, provided by the Library Staff • (8) Association, with special assistance from Lee’s Bicycles Set of 2015 season tickets, provided by the Tulsa Shock • Birthday party at ONEOK Field for a Tulsa Drillers game • Season tickets a family of four to the Imagination Series, • provided by theforTulsa Performing Arts Center Trust (6) Fishing with News 6 meteorologist Dick Faurot, plus • fishing gear, with specialOnassistance from Five Oaks Lodge Family membership to the Oklahoma Aquarium • Aviator membership to the • Tulsa Air(Family) and Space Museum Inflatable Party, provided • Incredible by Bounce Pro Inflatables of Tulsa Ceramic Painting Parties, courtesy of • (2) Georgia’s Arts and Crafts Studio *( ) denotes how many will be awarded.
Tulsa Book Review • July 2014 • 2
Caramel), Spreads (Butternut Squash Butter, Ruby Red Grapefruit Curd), and Syrups (Lemon, Cranberry Ginger, Mint-Lime). The book is very helpfully divided into sections by season, so you will have recipes to use the bounty found at your local farmers’ markets all through the year. A fun, personal story prefaces each recipe, along with serving suggestions, and most are accompanied by a beautiful photograph. The writing is easy, conversational, and infectiously enthusiastic. All the tools and instructions necessary are clearly laid out, so even the novice will have no trouble succeeding, while a more seasoned cook will enjoy experimenting with new flavor combinations. This is an excellent addition to any recipe library. Reviewed by Gretchen Wagner I Quit Sugar: Your Complete 8-Week Detox Program and Cookbook By Sarah Wilson Clarkson Potter, $25.00, 224 pages Check this out! Quitting sugar may sound scary at first, until you pick up Sarah Wilson’s colorful, friendly I Quit Sugar: Your Complete 8-Week Detox Program and Cookbook. This book encourages coloring between the lines, but as Wilson explains, even she occasionally may need to cross a line into some sugar intake. The first part of the book examSee I Quit Sugar, cont’d on page 11
Tulsa
Book Review
IN THIS ISSUE Cooking..........................................................2
Tulsa City-County Library 400 Civic Center Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 Ph. (918) 549-7323 EDITOR IN CHIEF Ross Rojek ross@1776productions.com
Science Fiction & Fantasy...............................4 Biographies & Memoirs..................................5 Children’s Books.............................................6
EDITOR/COORDINATOR Jackie Hill Tulsa City-County Library
Tweens...........................................................7
GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT
Teens..............................................................7
James Rasmussen COPY EDITORS Gretchen Wagner Amy Simko Holly Scudero James Rasmussen EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Audrey Curtis Christopher Hayden
WEBSITE TulsaBookReview.com
Crime Fiction..................................................8 Romance.........................................................9 Fiction.................................................... 10, 11 Historical Fiction..........................................12
FROM THE PUBLISHER Summer is in full swing and children and teens from across Tulsa County are signing up in droves for Tulsa City-County Library’s Summer Reading Program. We also have many adults signing up for our first-ever Adult Summer Reading Program. There are many opportunities for everyone to connect with great books this summer at your library, including this year’s One Book, One Tulsa pick – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – as well as many more featured here in this month’s Tulsa Book Review. We also are excited to announce that our Literacy, Outreach and Volunteer (LOV) Office has a brand-new vehicle to bring the library to you. This vehicle can be outfitted with books or digital items for checkout, dependent on the occasion. Please look for the new, yet-to-be-named vehicle at a festival or other community gathering near you. You even can help name the vehicle during our naming contest this summer. Go to www.tulsalibrary.org/namethevehicle for details and to vote for your favorite name entry. Online voting closes on July 4. We have great prizes for summer reading participants as well as those who come up with the best name for the latest in bookmobiles. Remember: libraries change lives even in the hot, lazy days of summer. We hope to see you soon at one of our nice cool libraries! All my best,
History................................................... 12, 13 Current Events & Politics............................. 14
Gary Shaffer Tulsa City-County Library CEO
Science & Nature.................................... 14, 15 Art, Architecture & Photography.................15 The Tulsa Book Review is published monthly by City Book Review. 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 City Book Review advertisers. All images are copyrighted by their respective copyright holders. All words ©2014, City Book Review
Family History Month..................................16
Coming Up! Jack Gantos, author of the Newbery Medal-winning Dead End in Norvelt and other renowned books for children, teens and adults, is coming to Tulsa in August to receive the Tulsa Library Trust’s 2014 Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature. The award presentation is at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22 at the Hardesty Regional Library. Gantos also will present awards to winners of Tulsa City-County Library’s 2014 Young People’s Creative Writing Contest at the presentation.
Book Reviews Category
Science Fiction & Fantasy SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back: Star Wars Part the Fifth By Ian Doescher Quirk Books, $14.95, 176 pages Check this out! Star Wars may be to the modern world what Shakespeare’s work was to his own time. It is only fitting, then, that Ian Doescher continues his project to reimagine the original Star Wars trilogy of films… as if Shakespeare had written them for the stage. The Empire Striketh Back covers familiar ground, but in a new register, looking at the epic universe of our favorite sci-fi films through Elizabethan diction and stage techniques. The previous book, Verily, A New Hope, relied rather heavily on a Chorus to describe the frenetic action sequences, a technique which the author has moved away from in this volume, letting the characters get the job done with dialogue. The stage direction during the chase through the asteroid belt seems a little confusing, but you can imagine that the ingenuity of the actors would make the action clear. The steady rhythm of iambic pentameter drives the script on, and unlocks some entertaining wordplay between Han and Leia. Yoda, though, masterfully reflecting his already-almost-Elizabethan speech patterns, speaks in haiku. Add in a hilarious scene where two guards in Cloud City speculate on the ubiquitous appearance of walkways with no handrails next to bottomless chasms in Imperial architecture, and what you have is a wonderfully imaginative look at what Star Wars might have looked like in the late 1500s. Reviewed by James Rasmussen
The Midnight Witch By Paula Brackston Thomas Dunne Books, $25.99, 352 pages Check this out! The Midnight Witch opens in 1913 London, beside the open grave of the sixth Duke of Radnor. His death has opened the hered itar y role of Head Witch of the Lazarus Coven to his daughter, the beautiful Lady Lilith Montgomery. She must prove herself capable to take on her father’s role and will immediately be faced with keeping the secret of the Elixir from the Sentinels, the group of sorcerers intent on destroying the Lazarus witches. Readers familiar with Paula Brackston will find in this novel her usual brand of magical realism that typifies her other novels, The Witch’s Daughter and The Winter Witch. The Midnight Witch is a departure from the Welsh moors and moves to the high society of Edwardian London shortly before the world slides into the chaos and loss of innocence of the first World War. Lilith is not as immediately likeable as some of Brackston’s other characters, but she is admirable and strong-willed in the face of great threat and great social change. The Midnight Witch is a well-told addition to Brackton’s bibliography and well worth the read. Reviewed by Axie Barclay The Tropic of Serpents: A Memoir by Lady Trent (Natural History of Dragons) By Marie Brennan Tor Books, $25.99, 336 pages Check this out! The Tropic of Serpents: A Memoir by Lady Trent by Marie Brennan is an involving sequel to her A Natural History of Dragons. Isabella Trent is off to new territories, in this case a place resembling Africa, to conduct more research and investigation of the dragons or wyrms she shares the planet with.
This is a made up world, but it does seem British with fantasy lands resembling some of ours on the planet to explore. Trent has been fascinating by dragons from a young age, but here must contend with a male hierarchy in a scientific establishment. They have the money, and tend to get the credit and responsibility. One might find Lady Trent inspiring, taking on the world of the privileged. She has her own views, goals, and ways to get things done. Males might find some of the battles and points she makes annoying, but she is prepared to take on what available options she chooses. The Tropic of Serpents takes on more anthropology than the prequel, but in these tales the human and the natural world are intertwined. There are natural history papers the narrator of this memoir writes that might never see the light of day. Brennan is a great storyteller though and worth the wait. Reviewed by Ryder Miller The Science of Discworld By Terry Pratchett Anchor Books, $15.95, 416 pages Check this out! Science is a vast, often daunting subject, full of difficult concepts, non-intuitive reasoning, and flatout baffling rules. How is someone to u nderst a nd science as a whole when so little of it seems to make sense? Why, by examining it through the lens of a world that makes sense, of course! And that’s the idea behind The Science of DiscWorld, the perfect text for couching real science about our world within the fictional (but somehow, more sensible) science of the DiscWorld, a pizza-shaped planet resting on the backs of four giant elephants that themselves ride on a giant turtle that swims through space. It’s a highly-accurate and well-informed look into the history of Earth science, evolution, and biology -- give or take a crab civilization or two -- conducted by the wizards of the DiscWorld, making for an immensely charming introduction to science as well as a gem of a DiscWorld story. First published overseas in 1999, it’s finally gotten an American release, so a few
Tulsa Book Review • July 2014 • 4
small snippets are out of date. (Reading the schedule of “planned” NASA missions was a little disheartening.) And yet, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable way to teach some of the more complex scientific ideas to readers. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Magic Rises: A Kate Daniels Novel By Ilona Andrews Ace, $7.99, 368 pages Check this out! I’ve had some trouble getting into the Kate Daniels series, but this book totally won me over. It is a little slow in the beginning, but, once it gets going, it really gets going. K a t e ’s werelion boyfriend Curran has been requested to act as peacekeeper at a meeting of several European packs. Though the whole set-up reeks of a trap, the payment is too good to refuse – panacea, the treatment that can prevent young weres from dying. In order to save the children, Curran, Kate, and an interesting mix of pack members set off into the trap. What awaits them is a nailbiting adventure full of intrigue, unknown magic, old enemies, interlocking schemes, and impossibly strong feline shapeshifters who attack at the most inopportune times. From the moment the group sets sail, the story spills forth in a thrilling rush. The fights are intense, and the tension is palpable. Relationships and lives are at stake, and the authors do an excellent job of making the emotional drama as exciting as the battles. At the center of it all is Kate, the wonderfully flawed, incredibly tough, intensely human heroine. Both fans of the series and newcomers to the world of Kate Daniels will enjoy this immensely entertaining read. Reviewed by Audrey Curtis
Book Reviews Category
Biographies & Memoirs SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
The Ogallala Road: A Memoir of Love and Reckoning By Julene Bair Viking, $26.95, 288 pages Check this out! As someone born in the Midwest, Kansas was a close neighbor. I’d previously seen it as rather flat and boring, with a landscape of farms and empty space. In Julene Bair’s memoir The Ogallala Road – A Memoir of Love and Reckoning she dances between loving and loathing for her homeland. Her way with words is beautifully descriptive and one senses a deep connection to the land. Ogallala Road is a wonderful mix of reminiscing one’s personal journey and his-
tory back to their roots, so to speak, concern for man’s impact and depleting of the land’s limited natural resources, and there’s even a poignant, sweet little love story of romance with a bona-fide cowboy. Bair’s desire to change the course of farming’s
gross over-usage of the water resources is an admirable mission that deserves serious notice. Changes must be made in how the farming industry, among other enterprises, utilizes natural resources that are not unlimited or self-sustaining. After completing The Ogallala Road, I had an altered view of Kansas through Bair’s eyes, and a kinship to what “coming home” feels like. The Midwest is known as the heartland of the country, for good reason. Julene Bair shares her heart and will touch yours with this powerful book. Reviewed by Laura Friedkin Little Failure: A Memoir By Gary Shteyngart Random House, $27.00, 368 pages Check this out! Little Failure is a highly engaging autobiographical account of Shtyengart’s move from the Soviet Union to America as a child thanks to a programme that enabled socalled Soviet “grain Jews” to be traded for wheat. Like most contemporary autobiographies, it is written in the present tense as a means of attaining maximal immediacy. This holds true even for events narrated before the author’s birth. Shteyngart’s style is also so lively that history fairly leaps out at you from the page. Consider this savoury satirical snippet: “Hitler betrays Stalin and invades the Soviet Union. Stalin is horrified
by this breach of schoolyardbully etiquette and holes up in his tree house outside Moscow, where he suffers a nervous breakdown. He is about to f*** up so completely that it will take twenty-six million Soviet death certificates to save civilization from collapsing”. Although the writing is wonderfully engrossing throughout, it can perpetuate Hollywood’s Manichaean view of Russia as merely dull or dangerous. Nevertheless, this is by far one of the most enjoyable memoirs I have read. If you liked Shteyngart’s masterful speculative novel Super Sad True Love Story you are bound to savour this stylish and audacious memoir. Reviewed by Erik Martiny
ian Doescher
The Tulsa City-County Library and Booksmart Tulsa Present
Sunday, July 20 • 2 p.m.
Hardesty Regional Library, Connor’s Cove . 8316 E. 93rd St. In the spring and summer of 2012, Ian Doescher read Quirk Books’ Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, watched the Star Wars trilogy for the millionth time and attended the Oregon Shakespeare Festival with his family. At the festival, he saw the funny, gay-marriage-themed, modern adaptation of The Very Merry Wives of Windsor, Iowa by Alison Carey. Within this span of a few months, Doescher had mashups, Star Wars and Shakespeare on his mind. The morning after watching The Very Merry Wives of Windsor, Iowa, he had the idea to write William Shakespeare’s Star Wars.
Join us for an interesting afternoon! A book signing will follow. Books will be availabe for purchasing.
Tulsa Book Review • July 2014 • 5
Book Reviews
Following Papa’s Song By Gianna Marino Viking, $16.99, 40 pages Check this out!
Category
Children’s Books SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
Three Bears in a Boat By David Soman Dial, $17.99, 40 pages Check this out! W h i l e sneaking into a pot of honey high on the fireplace mantle, bear siblings Dash, Charlie, and Theo break Mama Bear’s favorite blue seashell. The bears hatch a plan to sail their boat across the sea in search of a new seashell so that “She’ll never even know that anything happened.” It’s not easy for the trio to find a replacement seashell. They make several inquiries to fellow sailing bears, to no avail, until a wise, old, salty bear suggests it may be yonder on a lumpy hat-shaped island. The island sounds promising, but after searching underwater, in the trees, on top of the mountain, and, scarily, in a cave, still no blue seashell. Dash, Charlie and Theo are empty-handed and as mad as the storm they unfortunately encounter on the return trip home. The mischievous bears have good intentions, and through their high seas adventure they come full circle from agreeing on the plan to comforting each other in the midst of their anger when the sea turns rocky and the sky grows dark. The calm shades of blue and green at the start and end of the story have a tranquil quality fitting of a bedtime story for toddlers and young readers. Reviewed by Africa Hands Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too By Anna Dewdney Viking, $17.99, 40 pages Check this out! Nelly Gnu is going to spend the day with her daddy. Mommy and Nelly’s little brother are going out for the day. Nelly loves her daddy and loves spending time with him. They have a great big box and some tape and
string. They draw and measure and tape and saw and glue. They build a house that will be just for Nelly Gnu. It is just the perfect size. But Nelly doesn’t think it is quite done and tells Daddy what it needs. They get their coats and head out to the store. They look at paint. There are more colors than Nelly Gnu has ever seen before, but finally she finds just exactly what they need. Nelly is having a great time, until she realizes she doesn’t know where Daddy Gnu is. This is a perfectly charming story about the special relationship between a little girl and her daddy. It’s full of warmth and love and is written in perfect rhyme with a musical cadence. The illustrations by author/ illustrator Anna Dewdney are bright, cheerful, and absolutely enchanting. Parents and children will enjoy reading this one time and time again. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck
Little Blue and his father, a great blue whale, are waiting for the right moment to begin their migration to their summer feeding ground. This is the longest journey of Little Blue’s life so far. Papa is so big and strong. He can swim much faster than Little Blue. He is worried he will not be able to find his father if they become separated in the deep, blue ocean. His father assures him he will always know where he is if only he will carefully listen for his father’s song. Little Blue, like most little creatures, is curious about what lies below. His father tells him there is a magical world, but below that it is very dark. As they swim along, Little Blue sees a flash in the darkness below and decides to explore. The world below is indeed magical, but Little Blue decides to go father and it is dark, very dark, and cold and silent. He calls for Papa, but his voice is too small. Gianna Marino has written a sweet tale about the relationship between father and son, and her illustrations are truly lovely. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck
A Gift for Mama By Linda Ravin Lodding, Alison Jay (illustrator) Knopf Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 32 pages Check this out! It is a lovely morning in Vienna and it is the birthday of Oskar’s mother. He wants to get the perfect present for her. He looks in the windows of the shops and sees many wonderful things, but he has only one coin. As he walks around the marketplace, he notices the flower seller has one beautiful yellow rose. That should be perfect. He buys it with his one coin. As Oskar studies this lovely rose, an artist walking by saying he needs it for a painting he is doing. When Oskar explains it is a gift for his mother, the artist offers to trade for a fine horsehair paintbrush. Oskar thinks a perfect gift for his mother might be a painting he makes himself. He takes the brush and heads for home, but as he passes the Opera House, the conductor races up to Oskar and says he must have the paintbrush to replace his lost See Gift for Mama, cont’d on page 11
Little Benguin By Estelle Billon Spagnol Holiday House, $16.95, 32 pages Check this out! Once upon a time, a rabbit and a penguin fell in love. They married and had a child, a very special child. He was not a penguin. He was not a bunny. Little Benguin was different from any of the other youngsters, being part penguin and part bunny. The bunny children were told by their parents not to play with him because he had flippers. The penguin children didn’t want to play with him because he had such big ears. Sometimes he felt lonely and didn’t want to be different from everyone else. Sometimes he was fine being just who he was. Sometimes he just wanted to be NORMAL, whatever that was. But when danger visits their little village, and Little Benguin is the target of that danger, it is up to him to save the day. Estelle Billon Spagnol has a great way with words. This little story is full of humor and wit, but has an important lesson hidden inside. Her illustrations are every bit as witty and charming as her sweet tale. Children and adults will enjoy reading this one over and over. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck
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Tulsa Book Review • July 2014 • 6
Book Reviews Category
Tweens SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
Say It Ain’t So (Lenny & the Mikes) By Josh Berk Knopf Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 288 pages Check this out! Lenny, Mike, and Other Mike are in the glory that is seventh grade, when Mike decides he has to go out for catcher on the Schwenkfelder Middle School team. The fact that Davis Gannet, the biggest and meanest eighth grader, is the catcher doesn’t faze Mike. His dad builds a pitcher’s mound and backstop in their backyard, and Mike recruits Lenny to train him. Why? Because Lenny has the worst arm on the planet. If Mike can catch or block everything Lenny throws, Mike will have a shot. Not only does Mike make the team, but Davis Gannet is caught stealing a cell phone and is kicked off the team! Then it’s discovered that the Griffith Griffins are stealing signs. This doesn’t pass the smell test. Lenny decides to
put his detective hat on to see what he can uncover. He is attacked at Griffith Middle School and the libr a r i a n’s niece, Maria, rescues him, and a partnership is born, and maybe a little romance as well. Josh Berk has a winning formula with the middle-school setting and his wisecracking trio of characters, Lenny, Mike, and Other Mike. This will be a welcome addition to his middle-school baseball mystery series. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck
The Summer I Saved the World … in 65 Days By Michele Weber Hurwitz Wendy Lamb Books, $16.99, 272 pages Check this out! Nina Ross is nervous about starting high school in the fall, but she’s still got a long, lonely summer to get through first. She and her best friend are growing apart, her family is disconnected and distant, and she desperately misses her grandmother, the only person who ever “got” her. In her grandmother’s memory, Nina decides to do an anonymous good deed in her neighborhood every day until school starts. But will 65 days of small kindnesses make any difference? The Summer I Saved the World... in 65 Days is a light summer read with tons of heart, a charming book about transitions, hard questions, and the choices we make every day. It’s frothy but sincere, and Nina is a very believable thirteen-year-old girl on the
cusp of big changes and totally lost on how to cope with them. Nina’s quest begins quite suddenly, as if the author is as impatient as Nina for something good to happen, and the cast of neighbors and secondary characters is an apt microcosm for every reader’s childhood. The snooping neighbor, the spooky house, the kid fighting off pretend monsters... these are touchstones for each of us, transcending cookie-cutter frameworks and becoming common reference points. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas Brazen By Katherine Longshore Viking Juvenile, $17.99, 528 pages I could not have asked for a better historical fiction novel: Brazen does not disappoint. Far-off castles, tennis matches, a prince cast aside… slow-burning and suspenseful, this romance details the life of Mary Howard who is the young bride to Henry Fitzroy, the king’s son. Set in the years of Henry VIII’s reign, Fitzroy (also known as Fitz) and Mary start out a rocky relationship that is watched closely by the king. As the novel progresses, the romance slowly starts to deepen… but it may be up to the court to decide if they can ever truly be together. Mary and Fitz fight to stay See Brazen, cont’d on page 11
Category
Teens SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
Unhinged: Splintered Book Two By A.G. Howard Abrams/Amulet, $17.95, 400 pages Check this out! It’s been almost a year since Alyssa’s fall to Wonderland. With only few reminders of Wonderland, Alyssa’s permanent red streak of hair is the only daily reminder that the fairytale, as well as her title, is real. With her mother out of the asylum and Jeb as her boyfriend, Alyssa finally feels complete. That is, until Morpheus appears. Out of his chrysalis, he transforms, masked as a stylish but brooding exchange student
with dangerous intentions. Alyssa discovers that her ties can never be severed, as the call to return to Wonderland is too great even for her. Not sure of what Morpheus has awakened in her, Alyssa must now discover the connection to the strange and eerie creatures surfacing from Wonderland, and her rightful calling as ruler. With her two worlds colliding, she is finally forced to look at her heart and choose between her knight and her prince. Struggling with madness that will surely make her go “Unhinged,” Alyssa must decide whether she will allow it to consume her, or be strong enough to stand for herself? A.G. Howard, once again, takes you on a magical journey of dark creatures and wicked intent. Reviewed by Amy Shane
Winner of the tulsa library trust’s 2014
Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature
Tulsa Book Review • July 2014 • 7
Friday, Aug. 22 • 7 p.m.
Hardesty Regional Library, Connor’s Cove 8316 E. 93rd St. Jack Gantos is the author of numerous renowned books for people of all ages, including the 2012 Newbery Medal-winning Dead End in Norvelt. He will receive the award, speak about his life and works, answer questions and sign books. Copies of his books will be available for purchasing. Also, he will present awards to winners of Tulsa City-County Library’s 2014 Young People’s Creative Writing Contest.
Book Reviews Category
Crime Fiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
Watching You By Michael Robotham Mulholland Books, $26.00, 432 pages Check this out! Watching You is the seventh book to feature Professor Joseph O’Loughlin, a psychologist with a keen mind but a body falling prey to Parkinson’s Disease. It begins with him advising one of his clients on how to deal with the emotional trauma of a husband who has gone missing. But things grow more interesting when someone breaks into our hero’s office to steal her file. We then get into one of these rather magnificently ambiguous plots in which the client may be nuts, the client may have a stalker, or the client may be nuts and have a stalker. Everything remains delightfully unresolved until about two-thirds of the way through, when it suddenly bursts into thriller life and sweeps us down to the ending where everything becomes clear except for one rather annoying detail. Overall, this is a wonderful series of novels and, if you have enjoyed the others, this is yet another to savor. If you have not yet tried this author, this is a good place to begin. Although it’s always better to start at the beginning of the series, this is sufficiently standalone to let you get started in discovering just how good the series is. Reviewed by David Marshall The Coal Black Asphalt Tomb: A Berger and Mitry Mystery By David Handler Minotaur Books, $25.99, 240 pages Check this out! The Coal Black Asphalt Tomb is great fun both in the writing style and the plot. Here we are in this rustic piece of Connecticut where the rich have ruled life in this small township since the Mayflower disembarked the first passengers. Our leading players are a woman State Resident Trooper and her lover who’s been retired as a movie critic (he
just doesn’t get paid to be smart about movies anymore). When the local street through the Historical District is finally to be relaid, the workmen dig up a body that’s been entombed in the asphalt for forty-seven years. This gives us the ultimate cold case in which many of those who might have been suspect are dead, and the survivors are all well-advanced in years. This makes establishing whodunnit a real challenge. It takes both parties to winkle out the truth of the matter and, it proves to a genuinely clever plot. So if you enjoy a contemporary drama in which investigators play cat and mouse with the elderly who have secrets to hide, this is very much the book for you. The way in which gossip slowly meshes with facts is delightful as evidence is pieced together to identify the killer(s). Reviewed by David Marshall Tatiana: An Arkady Renko Novel By Martin Cruz Smith Simon & Schuster, $25.99, 304 pages Check this out! Tatiana is the eighth book to feature Russian investigator Arkady Renko. Normally, this would warrant a warning: only those deeply comm it ted fans who keep a card index system going on all the details of the previous seven should dare to pick up this book. Except this is a perfect standalone. Everything you need to know is supplied in the taut and economical prose. If you have not already read one of these books, you couldn’t hope to find a better place to start than this.
The trigger for Renko’s investigation this time around is the supposed suicide of an investigative journalist. Apparently she came home one night and just jumped off her balcony. Then the mortuary lost her body. There can’t be an investigation without a body, right? So they found the body again, but then cremated it. That should have ensured there was no investigation. Except this level of cover-up is all Renko needs to stimulate his interest. By the time the end comes into view, the level of corruption has reached such epic levels, there’s dark humor about the plan as exposed. So if you enjoy the story of a man tilting against Russian windmills, this is very much the book for you. Reviewed by David Marshall Murder in the Afternoon (A Kate Shackleton Mystery) By Frances Brody Minotaur Books, $25.99, 400 pages Check this out! The world in the 1920’s was a very different place. When you add in the cultural shift to Yorkshire, one of England’s most independentminded counties, the sense of difference could not be more acute. Murder in the Afternoon looks with an unvarnished eye at the nature of family life, the role of adoption, and the rampant sexism of the day. It begins when a new client comes knocking at the door of Kate Shackleton. Our hero is a widow, her husband missing in action in World War I. Because her adoptive father is a senior police officer, she’s been able to get work as a private investigator. In part because she’s a woman, she’s proved adept at persuading people to talk with her and she’s solved a number of important cases. The early morning disturbance is caused by a woman claiming to be her natural sister — a fact later confirmed. Her husband has gone missing (note the parallelism with Kate’s missing husband). The result is both a fascinating exploration of life as it was, and a genuinely pleasing mystery when the husband’s body is later discovered. This is a real treat for anyone who enjoys a thoughtful historical mystery. Reviewed by David Marshall Gun Machine By Warren Ellis Mulholland Books, $17.00, 320 pages Check this out! Detective John Tallow has already emotionally checked out. But in the wake of his partner’s sudden death, Tallow discovers a mysterious apartment full of weapons -each tied to an unsolved murder, the work
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of a madman with a purpose -- and he finally wakes up. As his higherups foist the case onto him in the hopes that both he and the case will go away, Tallow hunkers down for the first time in a long time, hunting for a killer whose grisly work he accidentally interrupted. A killer with plenty of secrets and a truly murderous will to survive. While Gun Machine is not as uproarious and subversive as Ellis’s previous book Crooked Little Vein, it is still balls-out funny, dark, cynical, grounded, and driven. While the killer seems like an impossible mix of delusional and calculating, every other character in Ellis’s cynical ode to New York City rings true, carrying varying degrees of defeatism, selfishness, and willingness to push when necessary. Replete with weird side characters and Ellis’s patented brand of offbeat but relatable detail work, Gun Machine hits all the notes of a great detective book while retaining its own distinct flavor of peculiarity. It’s great fun. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas
Fatal Enquiry, cont’d from Cover der – sending Barker and Llewelyn deep into the London underground, running against the authorities and time as they attempt to clear their names and defeat Barker’s arch nemesis. For those of us wishing to know more about Barker’s rather mysterious past, Thomas finally adds a little backstory to pull us in further, and Llewelyn gets a little more time at the front of the stage as well. There is so much more to tell here, so much more to praise – but to do so would perhaps reveal a portion of the mystery. As a lover of all things historical, I would not hesitate to recommend this title to those who appreciate a thoroughly researched historical setting – and fans of classic mysteries, Victorian London, dark and moody novels with complex characters and witty dialogue, look no further. The Barker and Llewelyn series will more than satisfy your need for an excellent read for those “dark and stormy” nights. Well-paced and intense from the first chapter, Fatal Enquiry is unquestionably one of those novels that you will add to your “I had to stay up until morning in order to finish it” list. Reviewed by Brad Thomas
TulsaLibrary.org
918.549.READ
JULY 2014
A FREE MONTHLY GUIDE TO YOUR COMMUNITY LIBRARY, ITS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
GENEALOGY CENTER'S FAMILY HISTORY MONTH PROGRAMS ARE MARKED WITH THIS SYMBOL.
adult/teen events Check the Teen/Tween Summer Reading Program Event Guide for additional events scheduled in July.
BIXBY LIBRARY Meet Bella the Therapy Dog Monday, July 21 • 1:30-2:15 p.m. Therapy dogs are trained to help people and they love to be petted. Learn about responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. Sponsored by Oklahoma Animal Alliance, creating positive change for pets through community collaboration and education. For all ages. Seating is limited. A-Book-A-Month Discussion Group Wednesday, July 23 • 2-3 p.m. Read "The Beach House" by Jane Green and then join us for this lively discussion. For adults.
BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY Open Book Discussion Tuesday, July 1 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join us as we meet to
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FEATURING "THE GREAT GATSBY" PAGE 3
discuss "Guests on Earth" by Lee Smith, a novelization of the last months of Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of "The Great Gatsby." For adults. Participants should read the book prior to the program.
BROOKSIDE LIBRARY
Read or Die Manga/Anime Club Saturday, July 19 • 12:30-2 p.m. If you're a fan of Japanese anime, then join our club! For teens. Our Cosmic Neighborhood ABCs: Galaxies Monday, July 28 • 6:30-8 p.m. The Milky Way is more than just a delicious candy bar. Join the Broken Arrow Sidewalk Astronomers for this awesome presentation on Edwin Hubble and the Milky Way Galaxy. For all ages.
BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY/SOUTH Novels @ Night: Movie Edition! Monday, July 7 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join our monthly book club as we discuss books on the big screen! Read your choice of "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green, "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand or "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn, and then join us for this lively discussion. A small quantity of each title will be available at the library front desk by request. For adults.
All Tulsa City-County Library locations are closed on Friday, July 4 for Independence Day.
"The Great Gatsby" Movie Marathon Monday, July 14 • 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Who is the greatest Gatsby? Discover if you are Team DiCaprio or Team Redford. Join us for a take on the movie versions of this great American novel as we view both the 1974 and 2013 versions of "The Great Gatsby" with a break for a BYOS (bring your own salad) potluck in between. For adults. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust.
COLLINSVILLE LIBRARY Sukikyo! Anime Club Wednesday, July 9 • 4:30-6:15 p.m. Join other anime/manga fans to discuss your favorite books, movies, characters and plot twists from this popular Japanese publishing trend. For teens. Sponsored by the Friends of the Collinsville Library.
HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY Start Your Research @ the Library Tuesday, July 1 • 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Join Lisa Hansen, Genealogy Center associate, for an overview of the many helpful services the library offers to family history researchers. For adults. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7691 to register.
ONLINE CLASSES SUMMER 2014 COURSE CATALOG PAGES 7, 8 Hardesty Book Discussion Wednesday, July 2 • 10:30-11:30 a.m. Read "Philomena" by Martin Sixsmith and then join us for this lively discussion. For adults. An Overview of Civil War Records on Fold3 Thursday, July 10 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. Location: Maple Room Experienced genealogy Civil War researcher Hugh Keen gives an in-depth look at the Civil War records found in Fold3, including service records, pensions and much more. For adults. Beginning Genealogy Saturday, July 12 • 9:30 a.m.-noon Location: Frossard Auditorium Learn how to begin your family research with Kathy Huber, Genealogy Center managing librarian. For adults. Women Finding Their Way: Tulsa in the 1920s Saturday, July 12 • 1:30-4 p.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium Genealogist Jae Jaeger uses media methods to introduce historic women of Tulsa that many have yet to meet. The times were exciting as women pressed forward after winning suffrage and began boldly, sometimes politically, to address the unmet needs of the Magic Empire citizens.
Hearing loop available. Switch hearing aid to T-coil.
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In addition to Tulsa stories, Jaeger will introduce the research methods that take the story “off the page” to unknown details. Join the journey that reveals more than a glance at the women of our past. For adults. Explore Ancestry's Collection Monday, July 14 • 1:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Learn to use some of Ancestry’s underutilized collections that may help your genealogy research. We will highlight directories, maps, plus military, school and tax records. For adults. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7691 to register. The Deep Web: Using the Library's Other Databases for Genealogy Research Wednesday, July 16 • 6:30-8 p.m. Location: Computer Lab You may be familiar with our genealogy databases, but did you know the library has an entire list of other databases that can help you with your genealogy research? In this class, Carissa Kellerby, Genealogy Center associate, will give you an overview of these nongenealogy
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specific databases and show you how to use them to further your research. For adults. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7691 to register. Why Isn't Gatsby Great? How a Brilliant Book Gave Birth to Failed Films Thursday, July 17 • 7-8:30 p.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium Emmy award-winning film teacher Clifton Raphael will discuss the process of adapting books into movies and tell us why F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel "The Great Gatsby" has been such a challenge for filmmakers over the years. For adults. Golden Nuggets: Those Overlooked Sources in the Genealogy Collection Saturday, July 19 • 9:30-11 a.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium With the many online resources available to genealogists, many times print sources are overlooked. Join Kathy Huber, Genealogy Center managing librarian, for an overview of important printed resources available in the genealogy collection that may help solve that difficult research problem. For adults.
A cAsuAl evening of books, bArds And bites benefiting tulsA city-county librAry’s ruth g. hArdmAn Adult literAcy service
photo by thomas caruso
feAturing Authors dAvid berg, John seArles And lArry yAdon
And delectAble Appetizers from some of your fAvorite restAurAnts And businesses
Friday, Sept. 5 • 6:30 p.m.
HardeSty regional library • 8316 e. 93rd St. $50 per perSon
Call 918-549-7494 For more inFormation or to mAke reservAtions. www.tulsalibrarytrust.org • 2014
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Small Engine Repair @ the Library Saturday, July 19 • 10-11 a.m. Location: Computer Lab Small Engine Repair Reference Center (SERRC) contains the full set of small engine repair manuals from Clymer in PDF format. Routine maintenance as well as more extensive repairs are covered. Engine types include motorcycles, ATVs, personal water craft, lawn mowers, tractors, snow blowers, generators and more. Learn how to access SERRC for free. For adults. Class is limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis. Hidden Treasures: Genealogy Vertical Files Saturday, July 19 • 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium The genealogy collection has even more resources than those you can see in the library catalog. Join Carissa Kellerby, Genealogy Center associate, as she delves deep into the hidden treasures found in the vertical files collection. Learn what kinds of resources you will find and how to easily search them. For adults. Preserving Family Records: From Expensive to Cheap Methods – You Decide Saturday, July 19 • 2-3:30 p.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium Join Bill Welge, certified archivist and director of the American Indian Culture and Preservation Office for the Oklahoma Historical Society, as he demonstrates how to preserve family documents, letters, photographs and film/video. He will cover methods that range from inexpensive to elaborate in cost. Learn how you can preserve your family records for future generations. For adults. Meet Ian Doescher, Author of "William Shakespeare's Star Wars" Sunday, July 20 • 2-3 p.m. Location: Connor's Cove What happens when you mashup "Star Wars" and William Shakespeare? A best-selling series of books! Join Ian Doescher as he discusses his latest installment, "The Jedi Doth Return." A book signing will follow the presentation. Books will be available for purchasing. For adults and teens. Sponsored by Tulsa CityCounty Library and BookSmart Tulsa. Solving Google Mysteries: A Skills Training Workshop for Family Research Tuesday, July 22 • 9:30-11:30 a.m. Location: Computer Lab Genealogist Jae Jaeger will teach 10 mighty tools needed to
unlock Google and maximize its potential when using it for family research. Learn how to narrow a search and expand findings, prevent useless responses, create a paperless file for findings, decrease paper production, and use Google images and books. A take-home worksheet for your search will be provided. Bring your laptop or notebook, if possible, to familiarize yourself with your own computer environment. For adults. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7691 to register. Settling America: Her Historic Land Distribution Thursday, July 24 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. Location: Pecan Room Historic legislation governed the way land was distributed in America. Learn how this legislation opened up America’s land for settlement and follow your ancestor’s westward migration. For adults. Making Those Early Census Records Talk to You Saturday, July 26 • 9:30-10:30 a.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium Stop avoiding those pre1850 census records. Turn those 1’s and 0’s into clues and lively pictures of your family. Join popular national speaker and certified genealogist Mark Lowe as he shows you how to find your ancestors in these records even without individual names. For adults. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust. Online Health Resources Saturday, July 26 • 9:30-11 a.m. Location: Computer Lab It's scary to try to find reliable health information on the Internet. Let us help you learn to use our website and free databases to research diseases as well as prescription drugs and supplements. You'll learn to find medical articles, use an online medical dictionary and discover reliable health websites. For adults. Class is limited to 18 on a firstcome, first-served basis. Cemeteries as a Genealogical Resource Saturday, July 26 • 10:45-11:45 a.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium We often overlook obvious clues as we walk through a cemetery. Join popular national speaker and certified genealogist Mark Lowe and enjoy this look at ways to learn more from our ancestors through gravestones and cemeteries, whether town or country. For adults. Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust.
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Over There and Back: World War I Records That Do Survive Saturday, July 26 • 1:30-2:30 p.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium Certified genealogist Mark Lowe will show how to find valuable state and local records that document WWI service (including females). Also look at some other federal sources. For adults. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust. Road Crews and Jury Selection: Finding an Ancestor Without a Census Saturday, July 26 • 2:45-3:45 p.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium Our ancestors were expected to be good citizens. Court minutes can identify where and when our ancestors participated in the community. Learn about their appropriate conduct or when they left town in this workshop presented by certified genealogist Mark Lowe. A question-and-answer session will follow. For adults. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust. Using State Archives and Libraries From Afar: Digging Deeper – Getting Records Away From Home Sunday, July 27 • 1:30-4:30 p.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium Certified genealogist Mark Lowe will share all the wonderful records that exist for genealogists researching across the U.S. today in the state-level research facilities. Discover tools to accomplish long-distance research and learn to develop a plan to solve your research problems. Plus develop a plan to obtain the records you need. For adults. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust. Using Library Resources to Find Ancestors Monday, July 28 • 9:30 a.m.-noon Location: Frossard Auditorium OR Monday, July 28 • 1:30-4:30 p.m. Location: Maple Room Certified genealogist Mark Lowe will solve a research problem using resources in the Genealogy Center’s collection. Follow the pathway as we discover and detail real ancestors through published library sources combined with the Genealogy Center’s online resources. Understand how you can follow the same paths and begin to develop your plans. For adults. Sponsored by Tulsa Library Trust. Free Genealogy Websites Tuesday, July 29 • 6:30-8 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Not all genealogy websites
A Communitywide Reading Initiative
The following programs complement One Book, One Tulsa. For more details about One Book, One Tulsa or to sign up for the Adult Summer Reading Program, go to www.tulsalibrary.org/adultsrp and join the conversation. Open Book Discussion Tuesday, July 1 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Broken Arrow Library Join us as we meet to discuss "Guests on Earth" by Lee Smith, a novelization of the last months of Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of "The Great Gatsby." Participants should read the book prior to the program. Second Saturday Downtown Walking Tour Saturday, July 12 • 10-11 a.m. Meet at Topeca Coffee in the Mayo Hotel, 115 W. Fifth St. A guide from the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture will lead a walking tour of some of downtown's most beautiful buildings. Women Finding Their Way: Tulsa in the 1920s Saturday, July 12 • 1:30-4 p.m. Hardesty Regional Library, Frossard Auditorium Genealogist Jae Jaeger uses media methods to introduce historic women of Tulsa that many have yet to meet. The times were exciting as women pressed forward after winning suffrage and began boldly, sometimes politically, to address the unmet needs of the Magic Empire citizens. In addition to Tulsa stories, Jaeger will introduce the research methods that take the story “off the page” to unknown details. Join the journey that reveals more than a glance at the women of our past. This presentation is part of Tulsa City-County Library’s Family History Month series, presented by the Genealogy Center.
FEATuRING
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"The Great Gatsby" Movie Marathon Monday, July 14 • 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Brookside Library Who is the greatest Gatsby? Discover if you are Team DiCaprio or Team Redford. Join us for a take on the movie versions of this great American novel as we view both the 1974 and 2013 versions of "The Great Gatsby" with a break for a BYOS (bring your own salad) potluck in between. Now Read This: Take Five Goes Gatsby Tuesday, July 15 • 7-8:30 p.m. AHHA, 101 E. Archer St. (corner of Boston and Archer) In celebration of One Book, One Tulsa, Take Five is going Gatsby. Five librarians will speak for five minutes about five titles with similar themes, settings or subject matter as "The Great Gatsby." The end result? 25 rapid-fire book suggestions! Before and in between presentations, enjoy trivia and other bookish activities, wine and great conversation with fellow readers. Why Isn't Gatsby Great? How a Brilliant Book Gave Birth to Failed Films Thursday, July 17 • 7-8:30 p.m. Hardesty Regional Library, Frossard Auditorium Emmy award-winning film teacher Clifton Raphael will discuss the process of adapting books into movies and tell us why F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel "The Great Gatsby" has been such a challenge for filmmakers over the years.
Vice, Crime & Vigilantes in the Magic City Saturday, July 19 • 10:30 a.m.-noon Tulsa Historical Society, 2445 S. Peoria Ave. From the Osage Indian murders to the Tulsa Race Riot to notorious gangster and outlaw activity, the 1920s Tulsa area was no stranger to violence and crime. Join us for a panel of writers as they discuss stories of murder, mayhem and local criminal masterminds in the Magic City. Registration is required. Seating is limited. Go to www.tulsalibrary.org/adultsrp or call 918-549-7323 to register. Afternoons and Coffee Spoons: "The Great Gatsby" Wednesday, July 30 • 2-3 p.m. Librarium Join us for a discussion of "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Please read the book prior to the program. Call 918-549-7349 to reserve a copy.
Sponsored by
T ulsa city - county library event guide
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require a subscription. Join Liz Walker, Genealogy Center associate, and discover free genealogy websites that contain original records, useful data and information that can help you document your family history. For adults. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7691 to register. An Evening With Author Wendy Corsi Staub Tuesday, July 29 • 7-8:30 p.m. Location: Frossard Auditorium Mystery/thriller New York Times best-selling author Wendy Corsi Staub has written over 25 psychological suspense titles while also receiving acclaim for her young adult novels including the two series: "College Life 101" and "Lily Dale." Enjoying success under the pen name Wendy Markham for her romance novels, she has won several awards from the Romance Writers of America. Wendy is an author you won't want to miss! A book signing will follow her presentation. Books will be available for purchasing, courtesy of Barnes & Noble. For adults. Sponsored by Harper Collins Publishing.
LIBRARIUM Introduction to 3-D Printing Monday, July 14 • 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 16 • 4-4:30 p.m. Monday, July 28 • 1-1:30 p.m. Join us for a brief orientation to the world of 3-D printing. For all ages. eBook Office Hours Wednesday, July 23 • 1-3 p.m. Get one-to-one assistance from trained library staff on accessing eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, music downloads, streaming movies and more. Bring your device, and we will walk you through setup and answer all your burning questions about library eContent. For all ages. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7349 to register. Afternoons and Coffee Spoons: "The Great Gatsby" Wednesday, July 30 • 2-3 p.m. Join us for a discussion of "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. For adults. Please read the book prior to the program. Call 918-549-7349 to reserve a copy.
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RUDISILL REGIONAL LIBRARY eBook and Audiobook Clinic Thursday, July 10 • 1-2:30 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Bring your eReader, tablet or smartphone, and get assistance checking out and downloading eBooks and audiobooks from the library's collection. For adults. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7645 to register. Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Workshop: Start-Up Basics Saturday, July 19 • 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Location: Greenwood Room A Tulsa SCORE representative will share insight about the tools, advice and information you need to succeed. Learn the essentials of business start-ups, get action steps for your business and receive one-to-one mentoring. For adults. Registration is required. Register at www.tulsa.score.org.
SCHUSTERMAN-BENSON LIBRARY Mystery Readers Roundtable Thursday, July 3 • 2-3 p.m. Come for coffee and share what you've been reading with other mystery lovers. For adults.
ZARROW REGIONAL LIBRARY Tablets 101 Wednesday, July 2 • 1:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Computer Lab Do you have an iPad but are afraid to use it? Are you considering purchasing a tablet but not sure which one to choose? Join us for an overview of tablet technology and learn the basics of using them. For adults. Class is limited to 12 on a first-come, first-served basis.
computer classes HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY LOCATION: COMPUTER LAB Classes are limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis. MS Word 1 Tuesday, July 1 • 6-8 p.m. This class shows how to use
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toolbars and menus, set margins, apply spell check, and preview, save and print documents. You should have some experience using a computer keyboard and mouse prior to taking this class. MS Word 2 Tuesday, July 8 • 6-8 p.m. This class shows how to create and format tables, use bulleted and numbered lists, and apply and format columns in a document. You should take MS Word 1 prior to attending. MS Word 3 Tuesday, July 15 • 6-8 p.m. This class shows how to create and use borders and shading, headers and footers, page numbering and drawing tools. You should take MS Word 2 prior to taking this class. MS Word 4 Tuesday, July 22 • 6-8 p.m. This class explores mail merge, and shows how to use tables to perform calculations and create onscreen forms. You should take MS Word 3 prior to taking this class. MS Excel 1 Wednesday, July 23 • 6-8 p.m. This class shows how to create formulas, use automatic fill and change basic formatting. You should take MS Word 2 and have some experience using a mouse prior to taking this class.
MARTIN REGIONAL LIBRARY
LOCATION: COMPUTER LAB Classes are limited to 12 on a first-come, first-served basis. MS Excel 1 Saturday, July 12 • 10 a.m.-noon This class shows how to create formulas, use automatic fill and change basic formatting. You should take MS Word 2 and have some experience using a mouse prior to taking this class. MS Excel 2 Saturday, July 19 • 10 a.m.-noon This class shows how to create and edit formulas, and apply functions and advanced formatting to your spreadsheets and workbooks. You should take MS Excel 1 prior to taking this class. MS Excel 3 Saturday, July 26 • 10 a.m.-noon This class shows how to create and use borders and shading, headers and footers, page numbering and drawing tools. You should take MS Word 2 prior to taking this class.
RUDISILL REGIONAL LIBRARY
LOCATION: COMPUTER LAB Registration is required. Classes are limited to 12 on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 918-549-7645 to register. eBook and Audiobook Clinic Thursday, July 10 • 1-2:30 p.m. Bring your eReader, tablet or smartphone, and get assistance checking out and downloading eBooks and audiobooks from the library's collection. Really Basic Computer Class Friday, July 11 • 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. MS Word 1 Friday, July 18 • 9:30-11 a.m. This class shows how to use toolbars and menus, set margins, apply spell check, and preview, save and print documents. You should have some experience using a computer keyboard and mouse prior to taking this class. Internet @ the Library Friday, July 25 • 9:30-11 a.m. This class is designed for people with little or no experience using the Internet. You will learn to navigate the World Wide Web and use the library's catalog system and online resources.
ZARROW REGIONAL LIBRARY LOCATION: COMPUTER LAB Classes are limited to 12 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tablets 101 Wednesday, July 2 • 1:30-3:30 p.m. Do you have an iPad but are afraid to use it? Are you considering purchasing a tablet but not sure which one to choose? Join us for an overview of tablet technology and learn the basics of using them. Computers for Seniors Wednesdays, July 9, 16, 23, 30 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. Classes are: "Meet Your Computer," July 9; "Email 101," July 16; "Internet Basics," July 23; and "Social Media," July 30. For ages 55+.
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children’s events Check the Children’s Summer Reading Program Event Guide for additional events scheduled in July.
BIXBY LIBRARY Meet Bella the Therapy Dog Monday, July 21 • 1:30-2:15 p.m. Therapy dogs are trained to help people and they love to be petted. Learn about responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. Sponsored by Oklahoma Animal Alliance, creating positive change for pets through community collaboration and education. For all ages. Seating is limited.
BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY Tulsa's Channel 8 Reads @ the Library Wednesday, July 9 • 10:30-11:30 a.m. Meet news anchor Mark Bradshaw and listen to fun stories. You may get to be on TV! For all ages.
BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY/SOUTH In the Middle Book Group Wednesday, July 9 • 6-7 p.m. If you're between the ages of 9 and 13 and want to talk about books with other kids, this is your group! Join us for a discussion of "Dead End in Norvelt," the hilarious and heartbreaking novel by Jack Gantos, winner of the Tulsa Library Trust's 2014 Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers' Literature. Parents are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Explore Sunspots With the Broken Arrow Sidewalk Astronomers Tuesday, July 15 • 2-3:30 p.m. Did you know that sunspots are caused by magnetic fields and can be the size of four Earths across? Learn about this phenomena and construct a paper sunspot of your own. Afterward, join us outside to view sunspots through a telescope. For ages 5-12. Registration is required. Class size is limited. Call 918-549-7662 to register.
COLLINSVILLE LIBRARY Stories From the Rocking Chair Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 10:30-11 a.m. • Enjoy stories, songs, crafts and more. For newborns to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.
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HELMERICH LIBRARY
PRATT LIBRARY
Tulsa's Channel 8 Reads @ the Library Tuesday, July 22 • 10-11 a.m. Meet Sports Director John Moss and listen to fun stories. You may even get to be on TV! For all ages.
Tulsa's Channel 8 Reads @ the Library Thursday, July 3 • 10:30-11:30 a.m. Meet meteorologist Andrew Kozak and listen to fun stories. You may even get to be on TV! For all ages.
HERMAN AND KATE KAISER LIBRARY
RUDISILL REGIONAL LIBRARY
Preschool Storytime Wednesdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • 10:30-11:30 a.m. The best in children's literature, songs, games, finger plays, rhymes and other reading-related activities are shared with your preschooler. For ages 3-5.
Tulsa's Channel 8 Reads @ the Library Wednesday, July 30 • 10-11 a.m. Meet meteorologist Mike Collier
My First Storytime Thursdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 • 10:30-11:30 a.m. 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 newborns to 2-year-olds and their caregivers. PAWS for Reading Wednesdays, July 9, 23 • 3:30-5 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-10 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. Registration is required. Call 918-549-7542 to register. Pajama Storytime Tuesdays, July 15, 29 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dress in your comfy jammies, bring your favorite snuggle toy and join us for a special evening storytime. For ages 2-10.
MAXWELL PARK LIBRARY Storytime Featuring books by 2014 Summer Reading Program Illustrator Dan Santat Wednesdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • 10:30-11 a.m. For ages 4-10. Child-care groups, please call before attending. Seating is limited so we may refer you to another library. An adult must accompany children under age 6.
OWASSO LIBRARY PAWS for Reading Thursday, July 10 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Kids ages 5-10 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.
en español
and listen to fun stories. You may even get to be on TV! For all ages.
SCHUSTERMANBENSON LIBRARY Music & Me Thursday, July 24 • 10:15-10:45 a.m. OR Thursday, July 24 • 11-11:30 a.m. We'll have fun with musical instruments, scarves, movement and more. For ages 1-5 and their caregivers.
Patrocinado por el Centro Hispano y el Fideicomiso de las Bibliotecas de Tulsa. Informes al 918-549-7597.
TulsaLibrary.org/hrc
Clases de informática
Facebook I y los medios sociales Jueves, 17 de julio • 6:30-8 p.m. Cupo limitado.
BIBLIOTECA REGIONAL MARTIN
Facebook I Martes, 22 de julio • 9:30-11 a.m. Explora el fenómeno social que es Facebook. Los participantes aprenderán cómo abrir una cuenta en Facebook, encontrar amigos y familiares, cómo controlar el contenido de su página y asegurar la privacidad de su información.
Informática y computadoras. Lo básico Jueves, 3 de julio • 6:30-8 p.m. Cupo limitado. Correo Electrónico Martes, 8 de julio • 9:30-11 a.m. Les enseñaremos cómo crear una cuenta de correo electrónico y como usarla para enviar y recibir correo. Correo electrónico para la búsqueda de trabajo, la escuela y la vida social Jueves, 10 de julio • 6:30-8 p.m. Cupo limitado. Microsoft Word para Principiantes Martes, 15 de julio • 9:30-11 a.m. En esta clase te enseñaremos a usar el programa de Microsoft Word para formatear texto, escribir cartas y documentos.
TO SEARCH FOR EVENTS, SCAN THIS CODE USING YOUR MOBILE DEVICE AND QR SCANNER APP.
The Tulsa City-County Library Event Guide is produced by the Public Relations Office of the Tulsa CityCounty Library. For questions or concerns, call 918-549-7389.
La computadora a tu servicio. Crear documentos, cartas y más Jueves, 24 de julio • 6:30-8 p.m. Cupo limitado. Facebook II Martes, 29 de julio • 9:30-11 a.m. Esta clase es continuación de la anterior, practicaremos todo lo aprendido. Participantes deben de haber tomado la primera clase para poder asistir a esta. Informática y computadoras. Lo básico Jueves, 31 de julio • 6:30-8 p.m. Cupo limitado.
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.
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ZARROW REGIONAL LIBRARY Stay and Play Storytime Wednesdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy stories, rhymes and songs, and then stay after for games and activities that foster important early literacy skills. For ages 5 and younger and their families.
Storytelling Festival Wednesday, July 9 • 10 a.m.
Family Fun Night Tuesday, July 29 • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join us for stories and songs as we camp under the glow-in-thedark stars for a special campfirethemed storytime. For ages 10 and younger and their families.
Rudisill Regional Library
Prepare to hear stories told through spoken word, rhyme and music. With over 20 years of experience as a storyteller and a Parents’ Choice Gold Award winner for his latest CD “But Why? Stories, Music and Songs,” Kirk Waller will delight children with his storytelling talents.
tulsa city-county library locations 25 Bixby Library 20 E. Breckenridge, 74008 • 918-549-7514 M, 10-8; T-Th, 12-8; Fri., 12-6; Sat., 10-5 19 Broken Arrow Library 300 W. Broadway, 74012 • 918-549-7500 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 23 Broken Arrow Library/South 3600 S. Chestnut, 74011 • 918-549-7662 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 17 Brookside Library 1207 E. 45th Place, 74105 • 918-549-7507 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 9 Central Library Closed for renovation 400 Civic Center, 74103 • 918-549-7323 8 Charles Page Library 551 E. Fourth St., Sand Springs, 74063 918-549-7521 • M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 2 Collinsville Library 1223 Main, 74021 • 918-549-7528 M-Th, 12-8; Fri., 12-5; Sat., 10-5 24 Glenpool Library 730 E. 141st St., 74033 • 918-549-7535 M-Th, 12-8; Fri., 12-5; Sat., 10-5 22 Hardesty Regional Library and Genealogy Center 8316 E. 93rd St., 74133 • 918-549-7550 M-Th, 9-9; Fri., 9-6; Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5 21 Helmerich Library 5131 E. 91st St., 74137 • 918-549-7631 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 18 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 20 Jenks Library 523 W. B St., 74037 • 918-549-7570 M-T, 12-8; W-Th, 10-6; Fri., 12-5; Sat., 10-5 3 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
11 Kendall-Whittier Library 21 S. Lewis, 74104 • 918-549-7584 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 10 Librarium 1110 S. Denver Ave., 74119 • 918-549-7349 M-Th, 9-7; Fri.-Sat., 9-5 15 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 7 Maxwell Park Library 1313 N. Canton, 74115 • 918-549-7610 M-F, 10-6; Sat., 10-5 14 Nathan Hale Library 6038 E. 23rd St., 74114 • 918-549-7617 M, 10-8; T-Th, 10-6; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 4 Owasso Library 103 W. Broadway, 74055 • 918-549-7624 M-Th, 10-8; Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5 12 Pratt Library 3219 S. 113th W. Ave., Sand Springs, 74063 • 918-549-7638 M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 6 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 13 Schusterman-Benson Library 3333 E. 32nd Place, 74135 918-549-7670 • M-Th, 10-8; Fri.-Sat., 10-5 1 Skiatook Library 316 E. Rogers, 74070 • 918-549-7676 M, 12-8; T-Th, 10-6; Fri.-Sat., 11-5 5 Suburban Acres Library 4606 N. Garrison, 74126 • 918-549-7655 M-Th, 10-6; Fri.-Sat., 11-5 16 Zarrow Regional Library and American Indian Resource Center 2224 W. 51st St., 74107 • 918-549-7683 M-Th, 9-9; Fri.-Sat., 9-5; Sun., 1-5
T u l s a L i b r a r y . o r g
Online Classes SUMMER 2014 COURSE CATALOG
UniversalClass™ offers hundreds of free online no-credit courses facilitated by dedicated instructors sharing their knowledge on almost any imaginable topic. You can take courses at your own pace 24/7. Visit Tulsa CityCounty Library’s website at TulsaLibrary.org/OnlineClasses for course descriptions. BROuGHT TO YOu BY
REGISTER TODAY AT: TulsaLibrary.org/OnlineClasses The following is a sampling of available courses. For a complete listing of courses and detailed descriptions, go to TulsaLibrary.org/OnlineClasses and click on the Course Catalog. ARTS & PHOTOGRAPHY
Adobe Photoshop 101 Buying and Selling Antiques and Collectibles Candle Making 101 Creative Writing Workshop Digital Photography 101 Event Planning 101 Fashion Design 101: An Introduction Feng Shui 101 Film Appreciation 101 Floral Arrangement 101 How to Can, Freeze, Dry and Preserve Food How to Draw 101 Humor Writing 101 Interior Decorating Made Easy Interior Design 101 Introduction to Music Appreciation Landscaping 101 Party Planning 101 Philosophy 101 Photography 101: Beginner to Intermediate Photoshop Elements 101 Poetry Writing 101
Traditional Scrapbooking 101 Travel Writing 101 Wedding Planning 101
COMPUTERS & TECHNOLOGY ABCs of Technical Writing Adobe Acrobat 101 Adobe InDesign 101 Adobe Photoshop 101 Adobe Photoshop CS4 Applied Statistics 101 Call Center Customer Service 101 Call Center Management 101 Computer Basics 101 Digital Photography 101 Dreamweaver 101 Effective Communication 101 Effective Presentations Electronics 101 Excel 2003 Excel 2007 Excel 2010 Excel 2013
Photography 101: Beginner to Intermediate Have you ever seen those old black-andwhite (or brown-and-white) pictures of pioneers? No one smiled, the women always wore gloves, and the children's faces were smudgy. In those days, the cameras required a longer period of time to capture the image than today. That explains why the children were always blurry, and possibly why no one smiled! If your pictures are turning out that way, or if you simply want to take better pictures, this course will help! Discover how to use the camera you have – no matter how fancy or simple it is – so that you can take great pictures, including step-by-step instructions on how to make great photos that are worthy of submission to any local photography contest.
Gmail 101 Google + for Business 101 How to Create Web Pages How to eBay 101 How to Run an Effective Helpdesk 101 How to use an iPad 101 Internet Fundamentals 101 Internet Specialist 101 Intro to PC Troubleshooting and Repair Introduction to QuickBooks 2011 Microsoft Access 2010 Microsoft Project 2007 Microsoft Publisher 2007 MS Office 2003: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook MS Office 2007: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook MS Outlook 2013 MS Publisher 2010 MS Word 2003 MS Word 2007 MS Word 2013 Office 2010: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook OneNote 2013 Outlook 2007 Outlook 2010 Photoshop Elements Version 7.0 (or earlier) Photoshop Elements Version 8.0 and 9.0 Photoshop Elements 101 PowerPoint 2003 PowerPoint 2007 PowerPoint 2010 PowerPoint 2013 Publisher 2013 QuickBooks 101 QuickBooks Online 101 Quicken Deluxe 2010 Social Media 101 (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn) Typing and Keyboarding 101 Virus Removal and Protection 101 Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows Live Email Word 2010
COOKING Bartending and Mixology 101 Cake Decorating 101 Candle Making 101 Catering 101 Cooking and Baking 101 Etiquette 101 Event Planning 101 Feng Shui 101 Housekeeping 101 How to Can, Freeze, Dry and Preserve Food Introduction to Gardening Italian Cooking 101 Lifetime Wellness 101 Nutrition 101 Party Planning 101 Pie Baking 101 Restaurant Management 101 Spanish Cooking 101 Spanish Culture 101 Tex Mex Cooking 101 Waiter and Waitress Training 101 Wedding Planning 101 Workplace Safety 101
CRAFTS & HOBBIES
Adobe Photoshop 101 Advanced Dog Training Anti Aging Techniques Aromatherapy 101 Astronomy 101 Babysitting 101 Bird Watching 101: Food, Feeders and Behavior Buying and Selling Antiques and Collectibles
CRAFTS & HOBBIES continued
Cake Decorating 101 Candle Making 101 Canoeing 101 Catering 101 Chakras 101 Computer Basics 101 Cooking and Baking 101 Cosmology 101 Couponing 101 Creative Writing Workshop Digital Photography 101 Dog Grooming 101
Pie Baking 101 Poetry Writing 101 Romance Writing 101 Sewing 101 Soap Making 101 Spanish Cooking 101 Special Events Planning 101 Tarot Cards 101 Tex Mex Cooking 101 Therapeutic Bathing 101 Timeshare Basics Traditional Scrapbooking 101 Travel Writing 101 Wedding Crafts and Projects
Microbiology 101 Natural Skin Care 101 Nutrition 101 Prenatal Care Stress Management 101 The Art of Breathing 101 Therapeutic Bathing 101 Weight Loss Management 101 Weight Training 101 Wellness Coaching 101 Yoga 101
HOME & GARDEN
Canoeing 101 In a world where everything seems to be moving at breakneck speed and super technology, there's nothing like paddling down a slow-moving, sunlit, picturesque river to ease one's mind. The fresh air, exercise and relaxation are added benefits. This comprehensive, illustrated guide is designed to instruct people on the sport of canoeing; including a brief history of the canoe, a discussion on safety, instruction on basic beginner/ intermediate paddling techniques and proper portaging techniques. Dog Training All-In-One: Beginner to Advanced Techniques Dream Interpretation 101 Electronics 101 Etiquette 101 Event Planning 101 Face Painting 101 Fashion Design 101: An Introduction Feng Shui 101 Floral Arrangement 101 Freshwater Fishing 101 Genealogy 101 Geology 101 Haunted Places 101 Housekeeping 101 How to Can, Freeze, Dry and Preserve Food How to Create Web Pages How to Draw 101 How to eBay 101 How to Manicure How to Start a Craft Business 101 How to Write Short Stories for Children 101 Interior Decorating Made Easy Interior Design 101 Introduction to Gardening Introduction to Music Appreciation Italian Cooking 101 Journaling and Memoir Writing 101 Kinesics 101 - Learn to Read Body Language Knitting Basics Landlord 101: Managing Rental Properties Landscaping 101 Lifetime Wellness 101 Mystery Writing 101 Nonfiction Writing 101 Party Planning 101 Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Business 101 Photography 101: Beginner to Intermediate
Wedding Planning 101 Weight Loss Management 101 Weight Training 101 Yoga 101
HEALTH & MEDICINE
Advocacy for Elderly Patients Aging and Long Term Care 101 Alzheimer’s Disease 101 Anatomy and Physiology 101 Anti Aging Techniques Aromatherapy 101 Asthma 101 Biology 101 Careers in Healthcare Caring for Seniors Chemistry 101 Childhood Obesity 101 Comprehensive Medical Terminology 1 & 2 CPT Coding for Beginners Depression Management Diabetes 101 Drug and Alcohol Abuse 101 Emotional Healing 101 Healing Affirmations 101 HIV: Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment How to Quit Smoking Lifetime Wellness 101 Medical Assistant 101: Career Overview Medical Terminology 101 Medical Terminology 201 Medical Terminology for Medical Coders Meditation 101: Learn How to Meditate
Advanced Dog Training Advocacy for Elderly Patients Aromatherapy 101 Babysitting 101 Bird Watching 101: Food, Feeders and Behavior Braiding Hair 101 Buying and Selling Antiques and Collectibles Cat Care and Training 101 Children’s Birthday Parties 101 Clutter Control 101 Cooking and Baking 101 Couponing 101 Dog & Cat First Aid, Care & Maintenance Dog Grooming 101 Dog Training 101: A Guide for Beginners Dog Training All-In-One: Beginner to Advanced Techniques Essentials of Ecology 101 Etiquette 101 Etiquette for Children and Teens 101 Event Planning 101 Feng Shui 101 Floral Arrangement 101 Freshwater Fishing 101 Geology 101 Homeopathy 101 Housekeeping 101 How to Care for House Pets 101 How to Prepare, Stage and Sell Your Home How to Start a Craft Business 101
Interior Decorating Made Easy Interior Design 101 Introduction to Gardening Landscaping 101 Nutrition 101 Party Planning 101 Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Business 101 Professional Organizer Training Snakes of the Western Hemisphere 101 Soap Making 101 Spanish Cooking 101 Spiders and Other Insects in North America 101 Tex Mex Cooking 101 The Art of Breathing 101 Traditional Scrapbooking 101 Tropical Gardening 101 Vegetable Gardening 101 Wedding Planning 101
PET & ANIMAL CARE
Animals For Everyone: Mammals Animals For Everyone: Penguins Advanced Dog Training Bird Watching 101: Food, Feeders and Behavior Cat Care and Training 101 Concierge 101: How to Run a Personal Service Business Dog & Cat First Aid, Care & Maintenance Dog Grooming 101 Dog Psychology 101 Dog Training 101: A Guide for Beginners Dog Training All-In-One: Beginner to Advanced Techniques Finding Your Animal Teachers Horseback Riding 101 How to Care for House Pets 101 Marine Biology 101 Marine Life Rescue 101 Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Business 101 Snakes of the Western Hemisphere 101 Wildlife Rehabilitation for Beginners
Floral Arrangement 101 Floral arranging is much more than simply putting a bunch of flowers into a vase and filling it with water. Learning the basics of floral arranging will help you put together a simple vase of flowers so that it looks elegant, professional and classy. In this course you are going to learn the fundamentals of floral arranging, from the basic tools you will need, to how to prepare for a big event and be able to pull it off with confidence. You will learn the elements and principles of design, how to use the flowers and foliage available to you in your area, and the mechanics of arranging flowers in vases, in floral foam arrangements and as hand-held bouquets. You will learn how to create the classic flat bouquet and hand-tied posies, as well as bouquets that are arranged in a variety of containers, such as baskets, boxes and bags.
t u lsalibrary . org / onlineclasses
Book Reviews Category
Romance SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
Waiting On You (Blue Heron) By Kristan Higgins Harlequin HQN, $7.99, 464 pages Check this out! Colleen O’Roarke is the gorgeous, outgoing coowner of the only tavern in Manningsport, New York. She has a talent for playing matchmaker but has not been so lucky in love herself. No one has ever been able to live up to Lucas Campbell, her handsome, Puerto Rican, high school sweetheart. Lucas is back in town for the first time in nearly a decade to care for his dying uncle. His feelings for Colleen have never faded, but his roots are in Chicago and he’s not sure she can forgive him for the terrible circumstances of the break up neither of them wanted. Waiting On You is packed with the elements beloved by Higgins’s loyal fans: idyllic Northeastern town (this time, the Finger Lakes region), upbeat writing, humor, a canine sidekick that behaves badly, and cast of zany community and family members who threaten to steal the show. This book’s many secondary plots and backstories are fully developed and woven expertly into Colleen and Lucas’s re-budding relationship. Although this book is the third in Higgins’s Blue Heron series, it can stand alone. Readers of previous Blue Heron books will savor the frequent cameos of the Holland family, especially Faith, who is Colleen’s best friend. Reviewed by Megan Just If Wishes Were Earls: Rhymes With Love By Elizabeth Boyle Avon, $5.99, 368 pages Check this out! Harriet Hathaway has been madly in love with the Earl of Roxley since the two were children and is determined to marry him. Their illicit interludes have her convinced he intends the same, until he shows up to a social event with his soon-to-be fiancée, Miss Murray. Undeterred, Harriet attaches herself to her rival as her companion and determines to do everything within her power to rekindle Roxley’s passion for her.
The gun hidden in Miss Murray’s luggage is her first sign that something is terribly wrong . She soon discovers that Roxley is in dire straits and being blackmailed into marrying this merchant’s daughter. The deceit and deception are far deeper than that. Miss Murray is not at all what she claims to be. Harriet must not only claim her man as her own, but must find a way out of a murderous mystery if she’s to have her happily ever after. Hold on to your seat, because this is an incredible page turner. Elizabeth Boyle hits another homerun with If Wishes Were Earls, a gem in historic romance. I loved the balance between suspense and romance, the incredible characters, and the endless plot turns. Funny, fabulous, and impossible-to-put-down, this is the perfect summer beach book. Reviewed by Jennifer Melville Darkest Flame By Donna Grant St. Martin’s Paperbacks, $7.99, 352 pages Check this out! When Denae LaCroix went on her latest mission for MI5, she didn’t know what she was looking for only that she would know when she found it. She definitely didn’t know that it would be her last mission. Kellen could not get past the betrayal of the humans and instead chose to spend countless centuries sleeping in his cave at Dreagan rather than deal with the world and what it has become. All of that changes when he is awakened by Denae fighting for her life against her partner.
Something or someone has an axe to grind against the Dragon Kings and has gone to great lengths to capture one of them in hopes of finding a mysterious object that few know exist. The Dragon Kings will depend on all of their allies to help them defeat the danger that is knocking on their door. Donna Grant has given the paranormal genre a burst of fresh air by deviating outside the typical types of shape-shifters like werewolves by giving us dragons. While there isn’t a lot of detail about the world of dragons she has created there is quite a bit of potential for it in future installments. This is a great read for those who enjoy books about shifters who are looking for a new twist. Reviewed by Jennifer Moss All Lined Up: A Rusk University Novel By Cora Carmack William Morrow Paperbacks, $13.99, 320 pages Check this out! For many, the start of college signifies being truly independent for the first time. It’s not so for freshman Dallas Cole, whose father has just taken a job as her university’s head football coach. Dallas is determined to put some distance between her and the sport she resents for overshadowing her childhood, but it’s not so easy when she falls for a guy who turns out to be a walk-on member of her dad’s team. Even though Carson McClain is attracted to Dallas, he’s from
a struggling ranch family and can’t jeopardize his chances of a football scholarship by getting involved with the coach’s daughter. Like Carmack’s debut Losing It series, All Lined Up stands out in the new adult genre for its clever writing, unique plot set-ups, and internal and external dialogue that is sarcastically funny without being snarky. Carmack’s characters’ insecurities play largely into their budding romances, which makes the relationships and characters exceptionally relatable and genuine. Carson McClain is a refreshing beta hero inside what would typically be an alpha hero’s sexy quarterback body. He is honest, caring, and patient, choosing to be a loner at college as he focuses on his football goals and the school work that is a struggle for him. This book’s setting in the fervor of Texas and college football culture will be a major draw for readers. Reviewed by Megan Just
Traveling the Mother Road this Summer?
Download the Guide to Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives for diners on this route and many others.
Tulsa Book Review • July 2014 • 9
Book Reviews Category
Fiction SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
The Deepest Secret By Carla Buckley Bantam, $26.00, 448 pages Check this out! Eve Lattimore lives on a quiet suburban street filled with mostly friendly neighbors who are very accommodating to the medical condition of Eve’s teenage son, Tyler, who cannot be exposed to ultraviolet light without severe physical consequences. Eve’s family seems functional on the outside, but there are cracks quietly growing between them. Her husband, David, works in another city and is mostly disconnected from his family, and daughter Melissa hides her issues behind teenage sullenness. Likewise, her neighbors are hiding their own secrets, and these secrets may finally come to light when the unthinkable happens and Eve’s neighbor’s daughter disappears. It will soon become apparent that even the deepest love can hide some secrets. The Deepest Secret is one of the best novels I have read in some time. Full of suspense, with intriguing characters wrapped in their own private mysteries, this fascinating story is hard to put down. Eve’s family holds their own secrets close, but it’s Eve’s dark secret that becomes the most all-consuming. This novel is well-written from several viewpoints, and it will keep you guessing about some things until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Reviewed by Holly Scudero The Liar’s Wife: Four Novellas By Mary Gordon Pantheon, $25.95, 304 pages Check this out! Johnny, the liar of the title story, is Irish. A lifetime ago, he and Jocelyn were married for a short while. Now, Jocelyn lingers, mourning, in a house inherited from her mother. Johnny stops by, unannounced, for long enough to demonstrate that he, a mendacious vagabond, still loves and celebrates life.
Genevieve LeClos studied under Simone Weil in France, in 1933. In 1942, Genevieve is married, a new mother, living in New York. When she catches sight of Simone on the street, her impulse is to hide. Simone is trying to return to Europe and join the Free French. Billy Morton is selected to introduce Thomas Mann when he comes to speak at Billy’s high school. Billy prepares by reading Mann’s novels, which speak eloquently of good and evil and moral responsibility. Theresa Riordan, raised in Milwaukee and educated by nuns, goes to Yale on a graduate fellowship. Her mentor arranges a month in Italy, to study 15th century sculpture. Each story’s protagonist has experiences during the narrative that causes profound change in his or her world view and expectations: Billy and Theresa are exhilarated, while Jocelyn and Genevieve are startled and rather saddened. It is Gordon’s great strength to create densely nuanced worlds, enlivened by vivid characters. What she conveys in remarkably few pages is astonishing. Reviewed by Elizabeth Benford Pioneer Girl By Bich Minh Nguyen Viking Adult, $26.95, 304 pages Check this out! Freshly finished with her doctorate, Lee Lien goes back home to her mom and grandfather in the suburbs of Chicago, not happy to be there but unable to find work in her field of American literature. She’s uncomfortable as always to be home,
where life is not as cozy and full of close family feeling as the lives of her white American friends or those in the books she loves, The Age of Innocence or the Little House on the Prairie series. When Lee finds a possible connection between an older woman who visited her family’s cafe in Vietnam in the 1970s and the Wilder family, she feels compelled to find out all she can about it. Far easier to escape into that world, after all, than face some harsh realities. As Lee goes to great lengths to prove to herself (and possibly others) that Rose Wilder Lane was the writer in that cafe decades earlier, plus maybe even some Wilder secrets (pun intended), she has some time to figure out where she as an Asian American fits not only in her immigrant family, but in the culture at large. Pioneer Girl satisfies on all fronts, delivering on its novel premise as well as giving a fresh and intimate look into the Asian American experience. Reviewed by Cathy Carmode Lim Casebook: A Novel By Mona Simpson Knopf, $25.95, 336 pages Check this out! Simpson is deadly accurate at crafting that little moment, where the reader’s emotions will attach to the story she is telling. It can be something casual, almost unnoticeable: a ladder tall enough to reach the eaves, so the Christmas lights can be put up. It can be huge and small simultaneously: a child with learning trouble reading her way through an entire chapter book, noticed and applauded only by her older brother, who is not her biggest fan. Miles Adler-Hart narrates this novel, laying out the story of how he and his friend, Hector, became cult cartoonists with their opus, based upon their lives, called “Our Psychopath”. The alleged psychopath is Eli: Miles’ mother Irene’s boyfriend. Miles is thirteen when his parents split up. He feels protective of his mother and wary of her quirky suitor. Hector is at least as fond of Irene. He pushes Miles to research Eli. The boys don’t believe Irene understands what she’s doing. Miles’s voice is clear and true throughout. He does his best to live in the present, warts and all. This novel is a tender and gritty portrait of a boy on the edge of manhood, struggling to make sense out of a turbulent world. Nobody wins but winning is probably not the point. Reviewed by Elizabeth Benford
Tulsa Book Review • July 2014 • 10
Astonish Me: A Novel By Maggie Shipstead Knopf, $25.95, 253 pages Check this out! In 1974, a brilliant Russian dancer defected and sought asylum, first in Canada and then in the United States. He was aided by his American g irlfr iend, Christina Berlin. The dancer did not speak English and they communicated in French. The dancer was Mikhail Baryshnikov. Baryshnikov had been typecast, dancing jesters rather than princes. His defection gave him an opportunity to increase his range and roles. It also gave him access to a wide range of girlfriends in the arts, ballet and celebrity world. The barely disguised hero of Astonish Me, Arslan Rusakov, has much in common with Baryshnikov. Rusakov’s girlfriend is Joan Joyce. Joan is dedicated to the ballet and to Rusakov. Unfortunately, her talent will not allow her to ascend from the corps de ballet into the principal ranks. Rusakov, of course, changes partners. Joan’s roommate, Elaine, under the tutelage of ballet master, Mr. K, ascends the ranks. Like the movie Turning Point, while Elaine continues a brilliant ballet career, Joan marries and has a son. It is evident that much of this novel is pieced together with true life events and fictionalized accounts of the ballet world, yet the author commands ballet jargon and captures enough intensity of the self-sacrificing ballet world to make it credible. Reviewed by Julia McMichael An Officer and a Spy: A Novel By Robert Harris Knopf, $27.95, 448 pages Check this out! Part spy novel, part detective story, and part dramatic action, this historical novel is based on the infamous Dreyfus Affair, in which a French military officer of Jewish descent was convicted, imprisoned and later exonerated of treasonously communicating military secrets to the enemy. The Dreyfus affair is one of the most notable miscarriages of justice in modern European history. Robert Harris skillfully weaves histori-
Book Reviews
Fiction
cal documents -- Dreyfus is portrayed in no small part in Harris’ narrative through actual letters that he wrote to his family from his prison cell at Devil’s Island -- into a compelling and careful narrative. The pacing with which he reveals the details of the mystery are impeccable. The real-life characters are employed to great effect. And the original historical materials which are included keep the reader aware that this affair, so unbelievable that it must be true, actually happened. A specter running just under the narrative is that if injustices and cover-ups like this have happened in the past, they could happen again in the present. Harris is a master of his craft. Even those who usually do not read historical fiction will be transported instantly to 19th century Paris, and absorbed entirely in his story-telling. Reviewed by Robert Robinson A Star for Mrs. Blake By April Smith Knopf, $24.95, 352 pages Check this out! A p r i l Smith had the great good fortune to be provided access to a diary, kept by a young army officer in 1931, while he accompanied the first group of bereft mothers to France, to visit the battlefields and cemeteries where their sons had fought and died in the Great War. The journey was an expensive, government-sponsored activity in the hard-scrabble midst of the Depression. Group A was assembled from New England. Cora is a librarian from an island off the coast of Maine. Minnie is an Orthodox Jewish chicken farmer from Bangor. Katie is a housemaid in Boston. Wilhelmina has spent her adult years in and out of mental institutions. Bobbie is a railroad heiress. They startle and sometimes inspire each other as the journey progresses. Smith has taken an unembellished account of an odd event and given it color and irrepressible life. It took her a number of years to flesh out the story and bring her characters to life and she has done a remarkable job of illuminating how deeply these pilgrimages affected and soothed the grieving mothers. This is a book to be read slowly, carefully, luxuriantly and then to reflect what a difference might be made by a mothers’ pilgrimage, well-documented, to areas of current strife. Reviewed by Elizabeth Benford
I Quit Sugar, cont’d from page 2 ines the tools Sarah recommends for removing this ever-present substance. She explains how much sugar we tend to eat and its impact on our bodies. The reason Wilson decided to replace any sugar was to not just experiment, but she had been told that her autoimmune condition (Hashimoto’s) could improve if she were sugar-free. Her brief experiment grew into the design for an eight-week plan, which you’ll find is a part of the first section and Wilson explains the different elements of each week. Several pages per week, Wilson writes with an upbeat, no-nonsense, inspiring tone, which helps motivate the reader to want to try Wilson’s suggestions. If you’ve been considering giving sugar the boot, then pick up I Quit Sugar. One of the refreshing aspects of Wilson’s book is that it doesn’t feel as radical as it probably is. Reviewed by Elizabeth Humphrey
Continues through Aug. 2
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Brazen, cont’d from page 7 together, while Mary’s f r iends ( a m o n g t h e m , the infamous Anne Boleyn) learn what true love is… or what it is not. Brazen historically portrays the lives of a few generations of royals during the later years of King Henry’s reign. The only drawback to this book, though, was the modern language sometimes used in it- if you like your period dramas historically accurate, I would not recommend this book. That said, Katherine Longshore writes a very good representation of the Tudor period and this is a great follow-up to her other books. Reviewed by Maddie Hudspeth Gift for Mama, cont’d from page 6 baton. He offers a melody he wrote that very morning in trade. And so it goes. Linda Ravin Lodding has written a lovely, quiet story about what constitutes a perfect gift. This tale is complemented by enchanting, old-fashioned illustrations by Alison Jay. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck
Tulsa Book Review • July 2014 • 11
novel set in the 1920s, attend one of Tulsa City-County Library’s many summer events for adults and then join the Adult Summer Reading Program. Log “The Great Gatsby” or any other four books you read or listen to this summer on a simple online form available at
TulsaLibrary.org/adultsrp and get a coupon for a free bagel from Panera Bread. You automatically will be registered for additional prizes. For a full listing of programs, see the library’s July event guide. Rediscover the joy of reading and then spread the word! Those 16 and older are eligible to participate.
Book Reviews Category
Category
Historical Fiction
History SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
China Dolls: A Novel By Lisa See Random House, $27.00, 400 pages Check this out! Set rimarily in San Francisco, this book f o l l o w s three young Asian dancers through the tumultuous pre- and post- World War II years. Helen is from a rigid, traditional family where a tragedy has sullied her chances of a happy future. Ruby’s risquÊ routines set her on the path to the notoriety she seeks— as long as she can keep her true Japanese heritage a secret. Grace was a member of the only Chinese family in her Midwest town, but must grow up fast (and learn to use chopsticks) when she runs away from her abusive father and must use her dancing talent to survive. Relationships, historical events, cultures, and the glitzy world of nightclub dancing swirl together and clash in this beautiful, sweeping saga. The ever-changing relationship of Helen, Ruby, and Grace is a powerful charge as they support, compete, and betray each other through oscillations of rags to riches, and the gradual revelations of their secrets. The epilogue, set fifty years later, is a satisfying conclusion as it checks in on the main and supporting characters, and hints at the legacy left by these characters’ real life counterparts who found success within the bounds of their era’s racial prejudices. Reviewed by Megan Just
Bristol House: A Novel By Beverly Swerling Plume, $16.00, 416 pages Check this out! Dr Annie Kendall, an historical researcher (and a recovering alcoholic), is employed by Philip Weinraub, the charismatic leader of the shadowy Shalom Foundation, to prove the existence of a man from Tudor London known only as the Jew of Holbern, and to research Judaica associated with him. When she arrives at Bristol House, her rented London flat, she discovers a strange manifestation -- a ghostly Carthusian monk is haunting the back rooms. This is made even stranger when she meets the friendly and likable Geoff Harris, a popular TV journalist, who not only takes an immediate interest in her research, but is also a perfect likeness for her ghostly monk. Together, they uncover the mystery of the Jew of Holbern, the apparition in her flat, and another mystery, left unresolved in London for five hundred years. Swerling is well known for the detail of her research, and her ability to carefully weave the historical details into a fascinating and absorbing story. Each of her characters are well developed, and the story is perfectly paced. This work will appeal to anyone who liked Swerling’s previous novels, and will provide a welcome change for those who enjoy historical fiction from Dan Brown or Philippa Gregory. Reviewed by Robert Robinson
The Meat Racket: The Secret Takeover of America’s Food Business By Christopher Leonard Simon & Schuster, $28.00, 370 pages Check this out! It is distressful to consider the short unhappy lives of factory farmed animals. It is equally distressing to read that major producers have developed monopolistic control of the food we eat. The number of producers has shrunk, leaving food in control of major corporations. The corporations have an array of brands, but eighty-five per cent of all chicken sold is only supplied by four corporations. These corporations buy from farmers at prices set by the corporation and sell at whatever profit they can. Luckily, people are becoming more aware of the overcrowded farm conditions leading to pestilence in those suffering animals. In much the same
way as Upton Sinclair’s 1906 novel, The Jungle shed a light on the meat packing industry, this book shows the practices of chicken and hog producer, Tyson, and the power that this agribusiness wields. Caught in the system are farmers who work tirelessly to produce Tyson’s product without any guarantee of profit or support. When disease strikes, the farmer is left to fend for themselves,
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Book Reviews often with bankruptcy as a result. If there were more competition, the farmers would have options that are unavailable since the mergers of mega corporations. Reviewed by Julia McMichael The Story of the Jews: Finding the Words, 1000 BC-1492 AD By Simon Schama Ecco, $39.99, 512 pages Check this out! The Story of the Jews: Finding the Words follows the Jews from antiquity through the Age of D i s c o v e r y. Archaeological evidence fleshes out the Biblical story and adds new dimensions of understanding to expand and continue the traditional tale. Potsherds, parchments, letters, receipts, legal documents tell a story of Jewish integration and influence throughout the western world, humanizing the plight of everyday Jews through various revolts, pogroms, prejudices, unrests, revolutions, dispersions. The information contained in this book is fascinating and exhaustive. I found it slow reading, mainly due to the author’s insufferably condescending tone, but it is full of thrilling anecdotes and riveting accounts of individuals frequently in desperate situations. Several sets of full-color photographs, of the Holy Land, Hellenistic Judaism artifacts, and items from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance nicely illustrate the premise that the Jews assimilated their surrounding culture, that they were an integral part of the civilizations where they lived. The genesis of Judaism, the Babylonian and Assyrian captivities, Roman conquest; attitudes toward Jews by early, medieval, and Renaissance Christians; and interactions with and under Muslim influence are all thoroughly discussed. Some interactions are positive; many are not. The story is very human, a great and moving story, poignant, frequently terrible, but ultimately enduring. Reviewed by Gretchen Wagner Faraday, Maxwell and the Electromagnetic Field: How Two Men Revolutionized Physics By Nancy Forbes, Basil Mahon Prometheus Books, $25.95, 320 pages Check this out! This loving tribute to two great scientists will have you on the edge of your seat, tingling with the thrill of discovery along with Faraday and Maxwell as they explore the completely uncharted world of electromagnetism. Faraday took the first steps, opening up the field through his meticu-
History lous experimentations; Maxwell codified and extended Fa r a d a y ’s work, bringing his pro d i g iou s mathematical skills to bear and developing the theory. Author Nancy Forbes has written essentially a biography of the early years of the science of electromagnetism, which undergirds almost all facets of modern life. Faraday and Maxwell were the parents of this nascent science. Forbes weaves the life of the two men with the development of the field, and animates and humanizes these geniuses, who were also very approachable, kind, genuine and genial men, loved by all they met. Faraday, Maxwell, and the Electromagnetic Field was fun to read, lovely to learn. Forbes is a great science writer, making the physics fairly accessible and explaining the ramifications of each discovery and forward step. Mostly the focus is the two men, heroes of science who changed forever our understanding of the world. It is a great addition to any science library. Reviewed by Gretchen Wagner Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero By James Romm Knopf, $27.95, 320 pages Check this out! With almost one fourth of this book being just notes and bibliography, one thing is certain: when reading Dying Every Day: Seneca At The Court Of Nero you are getting factually grounded history and not just some hype from a wannabe basement historian. The Julio-Claudian reign was definitely one of great interest and is rich with history. These men all had their high points in their lives and careers, but are most notably remembered for their anything but divine mental capacity. It is easy to question the motives of a man like Seneca, however, his motives early on were genuinely altruistic, as he never could have fathomed one day having the position and influence he ultimately achieved. Did he take advantage of Nero? Sure. He probably whispered his opinions and strategies into the ear of his most gleeful follower, but what politician doesn’t have somebody off-stage puppeteer-
ing them? Seneca’s legacy was a profound one and still a hot topic among the ancient and Classic historians, students, and enthusiasts. You will devour this boo,k so come ready with a big appetite as author James Romm serves you up a whopping plate of Roman history and you will eat it and love it! Reviewed by Kim Heimbuch Astoria: John Jacob Astor and Thomas Jefferson’s Lost Pacific Empire: A Story of Wealth, Ambition and Survival By Peter Stark Ecco, $26.99, 384 pages Check this out! Not many years after the Louisiana Purchase, John Jacob Astor a p pro a c he d Thomas Jefferson with a grand proposal: to set up a trading colony on the far Western Coast of North America, effectively claiming that land for the United States. Astor dreamed of trading from the coasts of the
rich, unexploited Pacific to the Far East, as well as overland through the unexplored American continent back to New York and the fledgling U.S. He equipped two expeditions: one, overland, to travel roughly the route of Lewis and Clark; the other by ship around Cape Horn and thence across the Pacific to the mouth of the Columbia River. Both expeditions were beset with difficulties from the start. The best-laid plans were no match for the forbidding, desolate, desperate situations in which the expeditions’ men found themselves, their trials only compounded by nationalistic and cultural barriers among them. This book frequently had me on the edge of my seat. It is written with a perfect eye for drama, ending each chapter with a nailbiting cliffhanger. The plot trades from the overland to the sea route, keeping the reader abreast of the actions happening simultaneously. It is a great book, a great read, thrilling; a masterly account of an unfairly-overlooked episode in American history. Reviewed by Gretchen Wagner
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Tulsa Book Review • July 2014 • 13
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Book Reviews Category
Current Events & Politics SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
The Snowden Files: The Inside Story of the World’s Most Wanted Man (Vintage) By Luke Harding Vintage, $14.95, 352 pages Check this out! There are few figures on the inter nat iona l scene more polar izing than Edward Snowden, the whistleblower-tur nedinternational fugitive who put a spotlight on the NSA’s unprecedented information-gathering and spying campaigns both home and abroad. And yet, we seem to know astonishingly little about who Snowden is, how he gained his information, and perhaps most tellingly, how he came to his decision in the
first place. Thankfully, The Snowden Files is a onestop shop, covering his formative years, the government jobs that would eventually give him access, and even the development of the data-gathering programs he exposed to the world. It’s as impressive in its execution as it is infuriating to revisit how much government manipulation and duplicity was involved. (Harding does an equally thorough job explaining the role played by the UK’s version of the NSA -- the GCHQ -- and their appallingly thuggish actions as the news stories broke.) And Harding is unflinchingly honest, not only confessing the gaps in his research -like how Snowden actually made it to the airport safe zone in Russia without being seen -- but also asking hard questions about the consequences of Snowden’s actions. While Harding is a Snowden supporter, he’s hardly a blind one. Reviewed by Glenn Dallas
Category
Science & Nature SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
Wild Connection: What Animal Courtship and Mating Tell Us About Human Relationships By Jennifer L. Verdolin Prometheus Books, $18.95, 250 pages Check this out! Having an impressive background in science writing, Jennifer Verdolin came out with an equally impressive volume in biology in Wild Connection. Though mostly biology, her text, as the subtitle suggests, is deeply linked to how this applies to human relationships, particularly to courtship and mating. Verdolin is an excellent writer, her
text is a pleasure to read, and it will be of especial interest if you love good science readings. Yet those who are not much into science will also enjoy this volume.
The book is full of enjoyable stories and examples both from the animal world and human interactions. These are mostly short little snippets such as how the male praying mantis attempts to escape his female partner from her chewing on his head during mating or how a mating male snake is attacked by three other male snakes to disrupt their union. But there are plenty of parallels to humans: are bigger males really better choices for females and if so, why? The author draws from her own experience with her dates: such as her first impression, does it matter? This book is mostly for popular reading but many superscripts refer to references at the end for further readings. Reviewed by George Erdosh The Tell: The Little Clues That Reveal Big Truths About Who We Are By Matthew Hertenstein Basic Books, $26.99, 288 pages Check this out! We are seldom advised about the nature and ulterior motives that people carry around with them, but by careful observation, Matthew Hertenstein believes we can detect that information in physical cues, as suggested by the cover of the book, which is composed of many faces. Hertenstein, who earned his Ph.D. from Berkeley and is on the faculty of DePauw University, puts forward a powerful argument in favor of the message of our initial impression when we meet a person. He asserts that as part of an innate behavior we are programmed to recognize certain personalities that can provide us benefits or pose a danger. There to aid us in detecting deception, and present in interactions from dating to mating, those critical cues are always within our grasp. Although the book lingers on obvious issues, the reader will gain significant insights from the book’s premise if he allows the author’s points. Hertenstein speculates on such areas as aggression, goodness, lying and cheating. He boasts that people cannot easily hide their intent, although there are those who have mastered the art of disguise, like the poker face. With a punchy style and a flare for digging into our minds, Hertenstein delivers an important message for the modern era. Reviewed by D. Wayne Dworsky
Tulsa Book Review • July 2014 • 14
The Asteroid Threat: Defending Our Planet From Deadly Near-Earth Objects By William E. Burrows Prometheus Books, $19.95, 275 pages The Asteroid Threat by William E. Burrows sounds the alarm again about the potential threat of dangerous asteroids colliding with Earth. As it turns out, the solar system is a messy place with all sorts of meteors, comets, and asteroids on strange and unpredictable trajectories. There have even been some recent collision with a meteor exploding over Chelyabinski, Siberia, in 2013. The goal to predict and anticipate these dangerous Near Earth Objects has not been a financial priority for NASA, but there have been many attempts to keep our eyes open for such threats. We are trying to build spaceships that can nudge these things away from collisions with the planet. The book chronicles our concerns in this area and also has sections about art and fiction as well as science and government. Burrows was inspired by the late Arthur C. Clarke, who could write a scientific story, and coined the future planet protective effort “Space Guard”. Protecting the planet from harm from asteroids might be more important than from solar flares and extraterrestrials, but with space being only 100 miles away, we also need to fear the use of nuclear energy and weapons in space. There have been international efforts to protect, but more cooperation may be needed. Reviewed by Ryder Miller Math Bytes: Google Bombs, ChocolateCovered Pi, and Other Cool Bits in Computing By Tim Chartier Princeton University Press, $24.95, 136 pages For readers who love math, comput i n g and puzzles, Math Bytes will be a welcome gift. This hardcover is relatively thin but filled with fun infor m at ion . Tim Chartier is a very good writer and the text is easily readable—no long scientific and convoluted sentences that scientists and computer geeks love. The chapters are
Book Reviews short, covering all sorts of math and computer related subjects, and each one has a number of challenge questions for you to solve (answers are in the back). Chartier targets math-loving readers; those mathematically challenged are not likely to enjoy this volume, as it takes concentration and a fairly advanced mathematical background to understand the text and algorithms. The author draws both from classical mathematics and even mythology, and relates these to current subjects such as tweets, Angry Birds and fonts on your computer. For example,
how audience ratings of a newly released movie by tweets affect box office results, or how search engines rank web pages using both math and computing, or how “Google bombs” effect political polls by “miserable failure.” A bibliography and a brief index conclude the volume. This is a wonderful mathematical book as a gift for yourself or someone else. Reviewed by George Erdosh
Category
Art, Architecture & Photography SNAP IT for additional book summaries.
Sublime Nature: Photographs That Awe & Inspire By Cristina Mittermeier National Geographic, $35.00, 224 pages Check this out! National Geographic has always been famous for its spectacular photographs, but none of their c ol l e c t ion s has been finer than this one. Many are extraordinary landscapes that show miles of mountains or bodies of water or sky-scapes or lightning slashing through the night sky. Some are close-ups that showcase the tiniest details of a leaf or a very scary snake or the spines of a sea urchin or the whiskers of a bearded seal. All the photographs are at least a page, while some are a page and a half or two full pages. This is a large book – ten by ten inches. The colors are incredibly rich and the contrasts extraordinary. Lovely poetic quotes have been chosen to accompany many of the photographs and seem to complete them. This is the kind of book one will look through over and over again, finding something new in the photographs each time. This is a celebration of the natural world with little interruption from humans save fisherman or elegant woman balancing a jug on her head or children splashing in a river. Some photographs will startle, some will elicit smiles, all will amaze. This is a beautiful book. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck
The Ansel Adams Wilderness By Peter Essick, Photographer National Geographic, $22.95, 112 pages Ansel Adams was arguably the best w ilderness photographer of the twentieth century. Few serious photographers working in that field today have not been influenced by him. Because of Adams’s tireless conservation work, a large protected wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada range was named the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Peter Essick, a photographer for National Geographic for two and a half decades and a native Californian, admits to being greatly impressed by the work of Adams. He decided to visit the wilderness area named for Adams and photograph the area anew, not trying to copy Adams, but instead to pay tribute to his groundbreaking work with work stylistically similar. This book has nearly forty of Essick’s photographs beautifully presented with poetic nature quotes interspersed with the photos. Besides being beautiful, this book is instructive as well. A section in the back gives the specifics of camera and lens settings of the digital cameras Essick used and a short paragraph by him explaining his process for each of the photographs. For anyone who enjoys excellent black-and-white photography of wilderness areas, this book is a must have. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck
Bright Bazaar: Embracing Color for Make-You-Smile Style By Will Taylor St. Martin’s Press, $32.50, 192 pages Check this out! No one will ever accuse Will Taylor of being beige, boring, or bland. He is the professor of paint and the wizard of wash. With his ideas through this dazzling book, you can remake your furniture, your rooms, your entire house into a brilliant palette of color and texture. Gone are the days of white or off-white walls with the occasional mauve or toast accent wall. With Will Taylor’s book in your hand, you will be brave enough to try a kaleidoscope of colors yourself. In addition to a nice introduction and a brief but extremely useful and surprisingly complete resource list, the book has three sections: Color is Your Friend, Color Cocktails, and Bringing Color Home. Every page is drenched with effulgent photographs of every imaginable kind of furniture, accessories, window coverings, and room designs. It is possible to
mix lime and turquoise and have a radiant jewel-box look to a room. You can take your yard-sale and flea-market finds and change them into something fresh, glittering, and new that can be the perfect accent in any room. Take a step back into a time when crayon colors were the center of your art and remodel your life. Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck
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Tulsa Book Review • July 2014 • 15
Genealogy Programming for Fa mily His tory Month Hardesty Regional Library, Genealogy Center • 8316 E. 93rd St. • 918.549.7691 Start Your Research @ the Library
Tuesday, July 1 • 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Computer Lab • Join Lisa Hansen, Genealogy Center associate, for an overview of the many helpful services the library offers to family history researchers. Registration is required.
An Overview of the Civil War Records on Fold3
Thursday, July 10 • 6:30-8 p.m. • Pecan Room Genealogy Civil War researcher Hugh Keen gives an in-depth look at the Civil War records found in Fold3, including service records, pensions and more.
Beginning Genealogy
Saturday, July 12 • 9:30 a.m.-noon Frossard Auditorium • Learn how to begin your family research with Kathy Huber, Genealogy Center managing librarian.
Women Finding Their Way: Tulsa in the 1920s
Saturday, July 12 • 1:30-4 p.m. • Frossard Auditorium Genealogist Jae Jaeger uses media methods to introduce historic women of Tulsa that many have yet to meet. The times were exciting as women pressed forward after winning suffrage and began boldly, sometimes politically, to address the unmet needs of the Magic Empire citizens. In addition to Tulsa stories, Jaeger will introduce the research methods that take the story “off the page” to unknown details. This presentation complements Tulsa City-County Library’s “One Book, One Tulsa” initiative.
Explore Ancestry’s Collection
Monday, July 14 • 1:30-3:30 p.m. • Computer Lab Learn to use some of Ancestry’s underutilized collections, including directories, maps, plus military, school and tax records. Registration is required.
The Deep Web: Using the Library’s Other Databases for Genealogy Research
Wednesday, July 16 • 6:30-8 p.m. • Computer Lab You may be familiar with our genealogy databases, but did you know the library has an entire list of other databases that can help you with your genealogy research? Carissa Kellerby, Genealogy Center associate, will show how to use these nongenealogy specific databases to further your research. Registration is required.
Gold Nuggets: Those Overlooked Sources in the Genealogy Collection
Saturday, July 19 • 9:30-11 a.m. Frossard Auditorium • Join Kathy Huber, Genealogy Center managing librarian, for an overview of important print resources that may help solve that difficult research problem.
Hidden Treasures: Genealogy Vertical Files
Saturday, July 19 • 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m Frossard Auditorium • Join Carissa Kellerby, Genealogy Center associate, as she delves deep into the hidden treasures found in the vertical files collection. Learn what kinds of resources you will find and how to easily search them.
Preserving Family Records: From Expensive to Cheap Methods – You Decide!
Saturday, July 19 • 2-3:30 p.m Frossard Auditorium • Bill Welge, certified archivist and director of the American Indian Culture and Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society, will show how to preserve family documents, letters, photos and film/video. He will cover methods that range from inexpensive to costly.
Solving Google Mysteries: A Skills Training Workshop for Family Research
Tuesday, July 22 • 9:30-11:30 a.m. • Computer Lab Genealogist Jae Jaeger will teach 10 mighty tools needed to unlock Google and maximize its potential. Learn how to narrow a search, expand findings, prevent useless responses, create a paperless file for findings, decrease paper production, and use Google images and books. Bring your laptop or notebook, if possible, Registration is required.
Free Genealogy Websites
Tuesday, July 29 • 6:30-8 p.m. • Computer Lab Join Liz Walker, Genealogy Center associate, and discover useful free genealogy websites. Registration is required.
Gene a logy Work shop s Presented by MARK LOWE Mark Lowe, certified genealogist, joins us July 26-28 for a weekend of entertaining programs. Learn valuable tips and helpful resources that will aid you in solving difficult research problems.
Making Those Early Census Records Talk to You • Saturday, July 26 • 9:30-10:30 a.m. • Frossard Auditorium Stop avoiding those pre-1850 census records. Turn those 1’s and 0’s into clues and lively pictures of your family. Discover your ancestors in these records even without individual names. Cemeteries as a Genealogical Resource • Saturday, July 26 • 10:45-11:45 a.m. • Frossard Auditorium Enjoy this look at ways to learn more from our ancestors through gravestones and cemeteries, whether town or country. Over There and Back: World War I Records That Do Survive • Saturday, July 26 • 1:30-2:30 p.m. • Frossard Auditorium
Find the valuable state and local records that document WWI service (including females). Also look at some other federal sources.
Road Crews and Jury Selection: Finding an Ancestor Without a Census • Saturday, July 26 • 2:45-3:45 p.m. • Frossard Auditorium
Our ancestors were expected to be good citizens. Court minutes can identify where and when our ancestors participated in the community. Learn about their appropriate conduct or when they left town.
Using State Archives and Libraries From Afar: Digging Deeper – Getting Records Away From Home
Sunday, July 27 • 1:30-4:30 p.m. • Frossard Auditorium • Learn about the wonderful genealogical records in the U.S. state-level research facilities. Discover tools to accomplish long-distance research, and develop plans to solve your research problems and obtain the records you need.
Using Library Resources to Find Ancestors • Monday, July 28 • 9:30 a.m.-noon • Frossard Auditorium OR 1:30-4 p.m. • Maple Room • Mark Lowe will solve a research problem using resources in the Genealogy Center’s collection. Follow the pathway as we discover and detail real ancestors through published and online resources. Understand how you can follow the same paths to develop your plans.
Hearing loop available in Frossard Auditorium. Switch hearing aid to T-coil.
Free and Open to the Public • TulsaLibrary.org • 2014 • If you are hearing-impaired and need a qualified interpreter, please call the library 48 hours in advance of the program.