A GREAT COLLECTION OF
BOOKS by Yvonne Walker
A GREAT COLLECTION OF BOOKS
I
A major factor in collecting books is the subject matter. I like to exercise my brain by reading controversial issues. Also, the cover’s design can attract my attention. Watching a great movie can lead to finding the book that inspired the director.
always loved reading and used to frequent the library. Neighbors, friends and relatives gave books for presents since they knew that I liked to read. Most of the books disappeared over the years, and a new collection evolved later.
When the collection started again, there were only two books: Webster’s New World Dictionary and The Lexicon Webster’s Dictionary. They were used to compare meaning of words, places of origin, correct pronunciation and parts of speech. Then a set of encyclopedias was added. Two other sets were purchased later. Textbooks that were not returned for cash and, of course, books given as presents were kept. After years of accumulating books, there are well over 1,000 books in the library. They are in crates, boxes and some on book shelves The books are kept for future reference. I could remember information that had been previously read but could no longer retrieve the detailed information from on-line or at the library. The information in older books can complete or enhance a project. They are easily accessible from my personal library when researching or when visitors stop by and would like to read. Often people reading books are surprised at the variety of books available. In stead of selecting one and reading it, they usually will browse to find new ones and subject matters of interest.
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I am so thankful to have grown up in an era where books are so readily available. It doesn’t matter what ones social status, anyone can have access to books of their choosing. Books can pop up just about anywhere. People even tire of them and throw them away, and I have gotten some from the trash. Today, many people read e-books, including myself. However, in order to keep a copy that is not electronic, it requires spending money for ink and paper. The cost to print could be more expensive than bound books, and they will not have the professional finish. I prefer to have regular books in my library. A great collection is to my advantage. Not only does my knowledge increase through reading, the books are used for the future. There are many places to buy books: Alibris (online)
Books-a-Million
Amazon (online)
Life Way Books
Barnes & Noble
Powells
Book Fairs
Public Libraries
HEALTH IS WEALTH
This book is divided into four sections: h is for health, j is for juices, s is for smoothies, b is for boosters. The juices give energy. Most of the juices and smoothies are made with fruit and an herb or two added. Only 9 of the 173 pages are dedicated to vegetable juicing. It starts with, get ready for juicing, what is so great about juicing, what can juice do for you, and how it is done. A list of super-food fruit and super-food vegetables are included and how to follow the juice rainbow for better health I had problems with my health for many years. Several ladies from church taught me how to get rid of the ailments. The first thing taught was to change my eating habits through healthy food and juicing would have to be done.
The Brain is a book from the Reader’s Digest series, Your Body Your Health. The series concentrates on the parts of the body and how they function. This book is divided into three sections: How your brain works, Brain-healthy living, and What happens when things go wrong. Illustrations are shown. Even the world’s best brain surgeons cannot detect many things that are transpiring inside the brain. They can see the physical components but are still unsure how this part of the nervous system works. Our brain has billions of cells. 90% is made of glial and 10% neuron cells. Signals are sent and received from the brain to the nervous system through electro-chemicals.
Killing Cancer was bought to give to my sister-in-law. Her cancer had been in remission, but returned. In an effort to help her, my mother brought her the largest basket of organic fruit available. When she refused to eat the fruit because she said she had food, I just kept the book. I had already read it. Jason Winters wrote the book after finding out that he had cancer. He had a big lump on the side of his neck. After going to the health food store and buying peach tree seeds, the lump began to disappear. He went back and the seeds had been removed from the shelf by the Canadian government. The solution was found as a result of his travels and he was healed. Anyone can get results.
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HISTORY BOOKS Afro-American History: Primary Sources written by Thomas R. Frazier was purchased at a Black history conference. This shorter version is more than enough to understand the ramifications of being put in chains and brought to an unknown country. It starts with and ex-slave describing everything he went through after being captured in Africa. Then continues with how they live until the day of emancipation, and into the civil rights movement. My interest in history developed after taking a class in American history. This study guide was purchased for additional information. America covers topics about the collision of cultures, England and her colonies, colonial ways of life, imperial perspective, empire to independence, the American revolution, shaping a federal union, the Civil War and the old south. A chart of immigration to America from various countries is provided. Black Stars in Orbit, NASA’s African American Astronauts was written by Khephra Burns and William Miles. The cover drew my attention while at the bookstore. The book was inspired from Kephra Burns’ father being a Tuskegee Airman and his mother being the first black woman pilot in the U.S. However, the book focuses on outer space, and especially Ron McNair, who died in the Challenger in 1986 when it exploded. The first time I went to Washington DC for a meeting, this book was looking at me ready to be purchased. U.S. Constitution for Everyone was originally written in 1987 to commemorate the bicentennial. It was revised after 1992. It lists and explains Articles 1 through 7 and the 27 Amendments. 13 colonies were formed but were in such disarray that it became detrimental for them to unite into one government. 4 Book Collection
COMPUTER BOOKS
An Introduction to Computers and Information Processing was my first computer college text book. It was kept as a memento. My friend wanted to go to Northwestern Business College. She asked several people to join her. After registering, she decided not to go, but I decided to continue. Topics covers are The Impact of Computers on Society, The Role of Data Processing in Business, The Processing of Data by Computer, Common Input/Output Media, Magnetic Tape and Disk, Terminal and Data Communications, Specialized Equipment, Computer Systems: with a focus on mini and micros, A Guide to Application Software, Tools for Specifying Program Logic, Programming in BASIC, Systems Software, Systems Analysis and Design, and Management Info Systems.
This book by Ron White was seen and purchased from Borders. The picture on the cover drew my attention. It is easy to see why it became a national best seller.
This book was purchased prior to taking a class at Harold Washington downtown. However, the class was canceled due to lack of student enrollment. I kept the book.
It starts with basic information and continues forward into detailed subjects: Boot-Up Process, How Hardware and Software Work Together, Microchips, Data Storage, Input/Output Devices, Multimedia, How the Internet Works, and How Printers Work.
One year later, after getting laid off from work, the book was used as a reference when taking Dreamweaver. There are things in HTML (hypertext markup language) from the Shelly Cashman Series, that were not in the class room text book.
A few years later, I took a twoyear correspondence course on repairing PCs. How Computers Work was detrimental to the study since it was so detailed and broke every section down step by step.
The author starts with the history and adds additional information in each chapter. She focuses on the world wide web, Internet service providers, websites, web browsers and website types.
Even though things have changed in the computer world, the foundation has remained the same, technicians build on past systems.
I realized how beneficial it would have been to have taken this class prior to taking web design classes. It would have been a breeze.
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TEXT BOOKS The American Psychological Association wrote this manual. Originally, in 1928, editors and business managers got together to form this book. It is the 5th edition since that time. It was written for them to be consistent in their writings. Today, students can reap the benefits of such concise and detailed information. There are more than 10 million copies in circulation. Publication Manual has 412 pages of information. The contents include 9 topics, along with charts and graphs for a clearer understanding of the subject. Schaum’s Outline Series Theory and Problems of College algebra by Murray R. Spiegel was purchased from a local bookstore. It helped explain procedures clearer than the original text book. The book covers fundamental operations with algebraic expressions, factoring, fractions, exponents, radicals, equations in general, functions and graphs, the binomial theorem, logarithms, and probability. In the days before the Internet, this was the best solution. Dressmaking and Design is a correspondence class. A advertisement in the mail became of interest because along with the course and other material, upon completion a new sewing machine was included. At ten years old, I learned to sew. My mother was a seamstress and needed help. When she mentioned pay, I was up for the challenge. The two year program was completed in six months. There were useful tips that could be used in the future, so the information was kept. Writing with a Thesis is one of my oldest text books from college courses. There are 10 chapters: The Persuasive Principle, Examples, Process, Comparison and Contrast, Cause and Effect, Division and Classification, Definition, Description,Narration and Argumentation. Examples a session in the book was my favorite since I had just taken a sailing class on Lake Michigan. He used “Adrift on a Sea of Words”. It named 26 parts of a ship describing how the name does not mean what it describes: a pulley is called a block, but it does not block anything. 6 Book Collection
NOVELS
This book entitled “Entertaining� was purchased from a used bookstore for $2. It was of interest because of the author Elizabeth L. Post. Her grandmother-in-law, Emily Post, wrote articles that appeared in the newspaper. The info from the articles was put together and made into a series Entertaining answers most questions that people ask when having dinner parties or other parties where people giving the events appear as though they know proper etiquette. It is a good reference book to keep for the future. The contents list: party planning, invitations and replies, dinner parties, table and place settings, how to serve at dinner, buffets, luncheons and cocktail parties, other entertaining occasions, obligations of guests and hosts and entertaining for business.
After seeing the movie Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, I was compelled to buy the book. The book gives more details and it is easier to follow than the film since it is slower paced. John le Carre, the author, is an excellent espionage writer. There are so many twists and turns that it makes it hard to figure who did what. There are thirty-nine chapters full of excitement and suspense. The name originated from the Oxford Dictionary on children nursery rhymes. It is recited as follows: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor, Richman, Poorman, Beggarman, Thief. The author worked for the British Army Intelligence and could incorporate information from prior experiences in his stories.
Brother Frank’s Gospel Hour is a book of short stories. The book was given to me. I never would have brought the book, but it is worth buying. W.P. Kinsella, the author, is from Canada and of Irish decent. In this book, he sets the stage for the stories from the Cree Indian reserve. He makes fun of different characters and the book is filled with humor. There are eleven short stories. The main characters are Silas Ermineskin and his partner Frank Fencepost. They set out trying to get a job. Frank is the first to get hired. He has the gift of gab and can persuade anyone to do anything. The boss hired him to be a supervisor and unbeknown to the boss, Frank had no experience. He explains to Silas, his friend how he will get by without the knowledge.
RELIGION We took a tour at the Creation Evidence Museum and Archaeological Excavations while in Dallas. The book was purchased from the museum, and has some of the same information in the tour. It begins by showing how the theory of organic evolution is invalid. Then explains how the solar system was recently created and not for as long as believed. The archaeological finds prove there was a major flood, and that men lived during the time as dinosaurs. They have foot prints of men in rocks inside their tracks. When working at Dechant & Hughes Publishing as a temporary, the manager, Ingrid gave me this book. The book explains the views of how people see God. It compares the difference between people who know one another in passing and those who have a closer relationship. Also, how God wants us to see. Chip Ingram, the author, studies the seven attributes of God: his goodness, sovereignty, holiness, wisdom, justice, love and faithfulness. Zola Levitt, was a great teacher. He wrote Seven Feasts of Israel. After seeing him on television, this book was ordered. The book is based on Leviticus 23. These instructions were given to Moses when he was on Mount Sinai for 40 days. They were to be observed yearly: Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Tabernacles and the Day of Atonement. These guidelines assisted the children of Israel in following His plans for their lives. When they were obeyed them great things happened including miracles. When browsing through a bookstore, the title caught my attention since I always love a challenge. So, of course, it was purchased. Jerome Agel wrote this book to challenge peoples understanding of the bible. It has multiple choices questions, word search puzzles, fill in the blanks, true and false questions and crossword puzzles. There are 155 pages. The topics include: number and dates, who’s who, decisions that shaped history, prophecies, promises, commandments, sins and curses, places where time passed by, miracles and the supernatural. 8  Book Collection
GARDENING
Jeff Gillman, the author of The Truth About Organic Gardening wrote this book for people to know what will work and what doesn’t, and the reason why.
Pests gives detailed information how to start with a healthy, balanced soil, outwitting insects, insect identification, insect control and wildlife in the garden.
The book concentrates on old wives tales that have been handed down through the centuries, and focuses on misconceptions to help the gardener select the correct fertilizer, soil, drainage for water, biostimulants, insecticides, fungicides and disease control agents, herbicides, pesticides, protectants and concoctions to avoid.
I have had several gardens, but the thing that bothers me the most are snakes. Never have I seen one in a garden. While walking in the country one came right in front of me. He was given the right-of-way as
An example, using beer to get rid of slugs in a garden is very common. A bowl with beer should be put close to the plants. If the slug is attracted to the beer, he will fall in and drown. However, he might not get far enough, and take a few sips and go toward the plants. A person should just drink the beer.
“Snakes have a bad reputation that is largely undeserved. Because of this, thousands of harmless and beneficial snakes are brutally slaughtered. ” I hollered for help. The snake came from the garden. Since I could not tell the difference, to me, he was harmful.
One in a series of Reader’s Digest Plants. This book was ordered via mail after receiving an advertisement. Success with House Plants tells the reader how to appreciate house plants, using them indoors, the A-Z Guide to house plants and caring for House Plants. The plants are distinguished by their shapes and colors. Latin names are given for each variety. After not being to happy about killing several plants, it was good to have this book. The book would always be referred to before purchasing a plant. I no longer had to just go by the stick with instructions that describes how to take care of the plant. The first ficus Benjamina known as the weeping fig tree, cried itself to death. The next one lived. Book Collection 9
COOKBOOKS Vegetarian by Linda Frazier was bought not long after I stopped eating all sorts of animals. Perhaps it would give lots of recipes to cook. The introduction gives history explains the healthy benefits of being a vegetarian and a phrase “you are what you eat”. Eight pages consist of detailed lists for fresh vegetables, dairy products, beans, peas and lentils, spices, herbs, bottled and canned goods and dry goods. Recipes include soups, appetizers, salads, side dishes, light lunches, supper and special occasions. The food on the cover of All-Time Favorite Recipes by Better Homes and Gardens, caught my eye. I must have been hungry that day. There is a collection of 1,007 recipes. The book has 461 pages with recipes that include meat, fish, and poultry, casserole dishes, barbecue meats, vegetable dishes, salad favorites, bread specialties and a dessert collection. The pictures are limited since there are three or four recipes per page, but the pictures available make the dishes look delicious and will make you want to make the dish.. Gluten-Free Artisan Bread by Dr. Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois caught my eye since it is better for me to eat gluten-free bread. I used to bake bread and eat the whole loaf along with a big block of unhealthy cheese. This book gives alternative flours to use. Rice flour is mainly used but almond flour, cornmeal, sorghum, tapioca flour, millet, teff flour, xanthan gum, ground psyllium husk, guar gum, oats, commercial gluten-free flour blends and potato starch are good. Now nearly everyone can enjoy homemade bread without gluten. A well known chef, Daniel Ahern and his wife wrote Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef. He started cooking gluten-free food after getting married. People with Celiac disease, like Shauna Ahern, cannot tolerate grains with gluten such as wheat, barley and rye. Personally, those grains bother my sinuses. If they are eaten sparingly it is not a problem. I would rather have wheat and dairy more than any foods, but from eating them too often, my sinuses rebelled..
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ACTIVITIES
I saw this book at Border’s Bookstore. Since the only books at home about horses were novels that inspired directors to make movies, like Secretariat and Sea Biscuit, or Equestrian magazines, this book was purchased. Jane Burton wrote Horses for the Colour Nature Library. She starts with the history, but states no one knows exactly when they were tamed. Men from the Stone Age hunted them for food. Horses have had many more uses: war, agricultural labor, racing, rodeos, fox hunting, pulling carts with heavy loads or carriages, chariots and for pleasure riding. One of my favorite sports is horseback riding. My love of riding horses began at 9 years old. After riding for many years, I took English riding classes, but western style is my favorite.
This book was purchased at a picture frame convention in St. Louis where I took several classes to learn how to frame pictures.
Windsurfing Funboard Handbook by Clive Boden and Angus Chater was given as a present from my friend Laraine.
There is an introduction and eight steps to completing a project: measurements and proportions, choosing colors for the mats and frame, choosing material and equipment, preparing materials, cutting mat windows, mounting, assembling frames and glazing, installing and hanging framed art.
I had just finished taking classes at Wolf Lake, and even though she did not take the classes, she brought the book as a present. This is a great sport for those living in a warmer climate. Chicago weather only allows a short season each year where this can be done.
It helped to enforce what was learned from the classes along with additional information not given in the classes.
The book tells the history of windsurfing. It began in the late 1960s, and has advanced further than any water sport in such a short period of time. Also it gives basic sailing techniques, explains how funboard works with sails, the competitions, how to build a funboard.
At times, I go to resale shops and buy older, wooden frames that I refurbish or clean, and place lithographs or art work into along with matting. They are In the future, my plans are to given away to people as gifts. use this book again.
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A Great Collection of Books