OSCAR GRADY PUBLIC LIBRARY
THE LIBRARIANS’
BEDSIDE TABLE What your friendly librarians have been listening, reading, watching & MUCH MORE!
Summer fun at the Oscar Grady Library
GREAT NEWS! STARTING JULY 24TH, WE ARE BACK
OPEN ON SATURDAYS (10am TO 2pm) WWW.OSCARGRADYLIBRARY.ORG
Oscar Grady Public Library Mission Statement:
The mission of the Oscar Grady Public Library is to provide high interest, high demand materials and make them readily available from the Library’s collection or through interlibrary loan. The Library supports lifelong learning, information and recreational needs for people of all ages and abilities. Special emphasis is placed on stimulating children’s interests and appreciation for reading and learning. The integration of new technology with traditional library resources is used to expand service beyond the Library’s physical walls.
On this new issue of our “Librarians’ Bedside Table”, we compiled a list of really good titles recommended by your library friends. Each title can be accessed in electronic format for your convenience. Click or tap in the hyperlinks attached to each title that will take you right to them
in the Monarch Catalog. We hope you enjoy this selection of books from your
librarians at the Oscar Grady Public Library!
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Debra Jo, Library Assistant and ILL Specialist would like to recommend the following titles:
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child's soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson's poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become. Provided by publisher.
Some of the titles listed in these pages are available in electronic format
through the Libby app.
Check it out!
Hope, our Collection Developer would like to recommend these titles:
The Map Thief: The Gripping Story of an Esteemed Rare-Map Dealer Who Made Millions Stealing Priceless Maps by Michael Blanding The story of an infamous crime, a revered map dealer with an unsavory secret, and the ruthless subculture that consumed him. Maps have long exerted a special fascination on viewers—both as beautiful works of art and as practical tools to navigate the world. But to those who collect them, the map trade can be a cutthroat business, inhabited by quirky and sometimes disreputable characters in search of a finite number of extremely rare objects. Once considered a respectable antiquarian map dealer, E. Forbes Smiley spent years doubling as a map thief —until he was finally arrested slipping maps out of books in the Yale University library. The Map Thief delves into the untold history of this fascinating high-stakes criminal and the inside story of the industry that consumed him. Acclaimed reporter Michael Blanding has interviewed all the key players in this stranger-thanfiction story, and shares the fascinating histories of maps that charted the New World, and how they went from being practical instruments to quirky heirlooms to highly coveted objects. Though pieces of the map theft story have been written before, Blanding is the first reporter to explore the story in full—and had the rare privilege of having access to Smiley himself after he’d gone silent in the wake of his crimes. Moreover, although Smiley swears he has admitted to all of the maps he stole, libraries claim he stole hundreds more—and offer intriguing clues to prove it. Now, through a series of exclusive interviews with Smiley and other key individuals, Blanding teases out an astonishing tale of destruction and redemption. The Map Thief interweaves Smiley’s escapades with the stories of the explorers and mapmakers he knew better than anyone. Tracking a series of thefts as brazen as the art heists in Provenance and a subculture as obsessive as the oenophiles in The Billionaire’s Vinegar, Blanding has pieced together an unforgettable story of high-stakes crime. Provided by publisher.
The X-Files: Season 6 If you're not familiar with The X-Files, here's what you need to know: The X-Files follows the careers and personal lives of FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). Mulder is a talented profiler and strong believer in the supernatural. He is also adamant about the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life and its presence on Earth. This set of beliefs earns him the nickname "Spooky Mulder" and an assignment to a little-known department that deals with unsolved cases, known as the X-Files. Agent Scully is a foil for Mulder in this regard. As a medical doctor and natural skeptic, Scully approaches cases with complete detachment even when Mulder, despite his considerable training, loses his objectivity. She is partnered with Mulder initially so that she can debunk Mulder's nonconforming theories, often supplying logical, scientific explanations for the cases' apparently unexplainable phenomena. Although she is frequently able to offer scientific alternatives to Mulder's deductions, she is rarely able to refute them completely.
Here are some of my favorite episodes from this season!
Eps. 4 & 5. Dreamland Pt. 1 & 2 On a tip, Mulder and Scully visit the infamous Area 51 where a strange event swaps Mulder's personality with that of Morris Fletcher, a shadowy government agent. Scully desperately tries to reverse the personality switch between Mulder and Morris Fletcher before it's too late.
Ep. 6. How the Ghosts Stole Christmas - guest starring Lily Tomlin and Ed Asner On Christmas Eve, Mulder and Scully investigate a house that Mulder claims is "haunted" and search for the supposed ghosts haunting the house. But the spirits within the house have a plan for Mulder and Scully on their own.
Ep. 15. Arcadia Mulder and Scully go undercover as a married couple in a gated community to investigate the mysterious disappearances of neighbors who didn't conform.
Hope would like to recommend these titles:
The Right Time by Danielle Steel “The Right Time” by Danielle Steel reminded me of why I was such an avid fan of Danielle Steel for so many years. My life had become very busy and I had not read one of her books in many years. Thanks to this book, I will be reading more of her work soon.
The book is about Alex, a young girl, who experiences some great losses early in life. Thanks to a wonderful lawyer and his connections with a group of nuns, she grows up in a loving environment. Her father had shared his love of mystery stories with her from the time she was very young. Alex develops a very strong love of these stories and begins to write stories of her own. Her father always told her that no man would read a mystery written by a woman. Alex believes her father even though her writing is superb. How can a young girl who writes wonderful murder mysteries find any success? You will have to read the book to discover the answer.
Miss Julie, our Children Librarian would like to recommend this title:
DOGS DECODED , (DVD)- PBS Dogs have been domesticated for longer than any other animal on the planet, and humans have developed a unique relationship with these furry friends. New research is revealing what dog lovers have suspected all along, that dogs have an uncanny ability to read and respond to human emotions. Provided by publisher.
Lynn, our Cataloging and Circulation Services Specialist, would like to recommend these titles:
SHRUBS by Andrew McIndoe A few good reasons to plant your garden with shrubs -- Choosing the right shrub, planting, and care -- Shrubs for challenging growing conditions -Shrubs for restricted planting spaces -- Shrubs with desirable characteristics. Provided by publisher.
Perennials with A Purpose by Larry Hodgson This is a plant encyclopedia with a purpose! You'll discover more than 1,000 perennials, organized by special feature (that's the "purpose!"), such as bloom time or site condition. This makes it simple for you to choose plants according to your needs. You can go directly to the chapters that interest you most, whether they're perennials that require very little care or ones that thrive in cool-summer climates. Provided by publisher.
Martin, our Collection Developing and Adult Services Coordinator would like to recommend these titles:
The Spymaster of Baghdad by Margaret Coker The Spymaster of Baghdad tells the dramatic yet intimate account of how a covert Iraqi intelligence unit called “the Falcons” came together against all odds to defeat ISIS. The Falcons, comprised of ordinary men with little conventional espionage background, infiltrated the world’s most powerful terrorist organization, ultimately turning the tide of war against the terrorist group and bringing safety to millions of Iraqis and the broader world. Centered around the relationship between two brothers, Harith al-Sudani, a rudderless college dropout who was recruited to the Falcons by his all-star younger brother Munaf, and their eponymous unit commander Abu Ali, The Spymaster of Baghdad follows their emotional journey as Harith volunteers for the most dangerous mission imaginable. With piercing lyricism and thrilling prose, Coker’s deeply-reported account interweaves heartfelt portraits of these and other unforgettable characters as they navigate the streets of war-torn Baghdad and perform heroic feats of cunning and courage. Provided by publisher.
AMERICAN GOTHIC by Steven Biel Painted by a self-proclaimed "bohemian" who studied in Paris, the image was first seen as a critique of Midwestern Puritanism and what H. L. Mencken called "the booboisie." During the Depression, it came to represent endurance in hard times through the quintessential American values of thrift, work, and faith. Later, in television, advertising, politics, and popular culture, American Gothic evolved into parody, all the while remaining a lodestar by which one might measure closeness to or distance from the American heartland. With broad perspective, acute insight, and humor, Steven Biel explores the strangely enduring life of America's most popular painting. Provided by publisher.
Maggie B. , our YA Program Coordinator, would like to recommend the following titles:
The Unofficial TikTok Cookbok by Valentina Mussi "Become the next viral sensation and make some delicious dishes that will impress all your friends with The Unofficial TikTok Cookbook. From whipped coffee to pancake cereal and mug cakes to seltzer slushies, you can find all the recipes you've seen on social media and have been dying to make in one place. Featuring simple, easy-to-follow instructions, you can now create the recipes you've seen all over the internet in the comfort of your own home. Whether you want to post your cooking creations online or just share them with your friends, this book is a must-have for chefs of all ages!"-- Provided by publisher.
SWEET TOOTH by Jeff Lemire "For readers eager to dive right into Jeff LeMire's strange sci-fi story, Sweet Tooth the compendium is now available! An inexplicable plague has women giving birth to human-animal hybrid children all over the world. The deer-child Gus is left to fend for himself after his father dies, leaving him with more questions than answers. A cross between Bambi and Cormac McCarthy's The Road, Sweet Tooth follows the innocent journey of a young hybrid boy suddenly thrust out into a world no one can explain."-- Provided by publisher.
Rita would like to recommend these titles:
Disappearing Moon Café (1990, audiobook 2019) by Sky Lee is an Asian-Canadian family saga, beginning in the late 19th century and ending in the late 20th century, mostly taking place in British Columbia. It focuses on four generations of women in the Wong family and the effects of lies and intrigue in their lives. The narrative bounces back and forth between generations, showing how the characters are affected by cultural expectations for their gender and societal racism. Keeping track of the various characters can be a bit challenging in the beginning of the book, but it all becomes easier as the story progresses. Disappearing Moon Café is often bleak, and the harsh language used between the characters does little to lift the tone. That said, it is an interesting look at one family’s survival, as well as the sacrifices and determination each generation makes to succeed. The audiobook is 10 hours, 43 minutes long and narrated by Grace Lynn Kung. It is available through both Libby and Monarch (MP3 audiobook).
Single and Forced to Mingle: A Guide for (Nearly) Any Socially Awkward Situation (2021) by Melissa Croce celebrates singledom. As Croce clearly states, “Being. Single. Is. Awesome.” The book is also a humorous peek at things that can make some social gatherings events that are endured, rather than enjoyed, by single people. While marketed as a guide for single people, Single and Forced to Mingle is also a manual for people who want to be sensitive, not tiresome, to the singles in their lives. Inspired by a “choose your own adventure” – type chart about why the author was single that went viral on Twitter, Single and Forced to Mingle includes such helpful tools as a “Reasons Why You Don’t Want to be Set Up Right Now…” madlibs/fill in the blank activity, hot tips on how to survive seeing your ex, pitfalls of party invitations and how to elegantly decline, and a list of “Patron Saints of Single People, both Real and Fictional” to give support and inspiration.
Croce points out that single people are not always obsessing about changing their single status, “People keep asking us single folks what we’re looking for in a significant other, and sure, that’s important to think about if you’re actually looking for that kind of thing, but do you know what people rarely ask us about that we’re always looking for? Health care!” Humor and insight make this short book a fun read.
Single and Forced to Mingle is available in printed format through Monarch.
Tyler, our Library Services Assistant would like to recommend these titles:
Japanese SuperSub (PBS’ Secrets of the Dead) DVD, 2010 Merging the stealth and tactical advantages of sea and sky, the I401 aircraft carrier submarine carried three specially designed Seiran attack bombers. The vessel had the potential to change the course of the war in the Pacific. Japanese SuperSub, investigates Japan's efforts to take submarine technology where it had never gone before, and reveals how close the Japanese came to using the sub for an attack on the U.S.
APOLLO 11 (DVD, 2019) Directed by Todd Douglas Miller From director Todd Douglas Miller comes a cinematic event 50 years in the making. Crafted from a newly discovered trove of 65mm footage, and more than 11,000 hours of uncataloged audio recordings, the film takes viewers straight to the heart of NASA₂s most celebrated mission, the one that first put men on the moon, and forever made Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin into household names.
Every week new books get added to our collections for your enjoyment. This week, Miss Julie is happy to share her book shelf, full of books that have just hit our shelves.
To see them and request them, click on the following:
Miss Julie’s BOOKSHELF and click/tap on each title to learn more about them. Check it out!
Other titles you may be interested if you enjoyed
The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein: The Rose Code by Kate Quinn Joining the elite Bletchley Park codebreaking team during World War II, three women from very different walks of life uncover a spy's dangerous agenda years later against the backdrop of the royal wedding of Elizabeth and Philip. Provided by publisher.
Princess Elizabeth’s Spy by Susan Elia Macneal "Susan Elia MacNeal introduced the remarkable Maggie Hope in her acclaimed debut, Mr. Churchill's Secretary. Now Maggie returns to protect Britain's beloved royals against an international plot--one that could change the course of history. As World War II sweeps the continent and England steels itself against German attack, Maggie Hope, former secretary to Prime Minister Winston Churchill, completes her training to become a spy for MI-5. Spirited, strongwilled, and possessing one of the sharpest minds in government for mathematics and code-breaking, she fully expects to be sent abroad to gather intelligence for the British front. Provided by publisher.
Three Hours in Paris by Cara Black Three Hours in Paris is the story of Kate Rees, the young American markswoman who has been recruited by British intelligence to drop into Paris on the dangerous business of trying to assassinate the Fuhrer. A country girl from rural Oregon-a grieving widow with no spy training but a vendetta and a lot of gumption-now has the state of the entire war in her hands. When the hit goes badly wrong, Kate is on the run for her life-all the time wrestling with the suspicion that the whole operation was a set-up.
Now around town! Books for everyone. The Oscar Grady Library with the support of The Friends of the Oscar Grady Library has purchased three Little Free Libraries, which have been installed at three convenient locations: Quade Park, The Oscar Grady Library, and Village Hall. Check them out! Love them, enjoy them, treasure them.
www.oscargradylibrary.org