July New and Notable

Book Review - "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova

Castle ruins, Eastern European folklore, and a sinister evil await you in Kostova's debut novel. The story begins in 1972 Amsterdam, when a teenage girl discovers an ancient book in her father's study that contains only a woodcut of a large dragon within its blank pages. Also hidden within the pages are a series of yellowing letters, all addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor." When the girl questions her father, Paul, about these findings, he reluctantly tells her of a time twenty years ago when his mentor and friend, Professor Rossi, disappeared suddenly after confiding of his belief that Dracula was still alive. After Paul shares this information with his daughter, he too disappears, leaving only a note behind.

"The Historian" spans across four decades and consists of three story lines - one from the 1930s, when Bartholomew Rossi begins his treacherous search for Dracula, the next from the 1950s, when his student Paul takes up the search after Rossi's disappearance, and then the main narrative from 1972. Travels take each of the searchers deep into Eastern Europe, the home of Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula.

Ride to Read at the library this summer!

The library is offering a great program this summer! We want to reward you for doing your part in helping the environment and our community.

Every time you ride your bike or walk to the library this summer, stop at the circulation desk for a raffle ticket to enter in our drawing for a great prize. We will be awarding prizes bi-weekly, so you have a great chance to win!

Book Review - "Chocolate Cows and Purple Cheese..." by Tom Hernandez

Our book discussion group was fortunate to have Tom Hernandez, author of "Chocolate Cows and Purple Cheese and Other Tales from the Homefront" speak at our meeting last week. Tom's book is a true gem in today's changing world; he helps us remember that family is still one of the most important aspects of our lives.

Tom is a columnist for a local Plainfield paper, and "Chocolate Cows..." is a composition of his essays from the past ten years or so. He writes with humor and grace, offering tidbits of wisdom and advice that he's accumulated as a son, husband, and father. Even though I am not any of those three, I certainly identified with many of his tales. I often found myself smiling to myself as I recalled my own experiences as a mischievous child to an exasperated parent or having to retake the driving test and blanking on what road sign is what.

Because of the shortness of each essay, this book is great for reading each morning during breakfast, on the road, or even just for a few minutes when your busy life gives you time. Check out a copy today!

Summer Read Kick-off Party

WHAT:
Our 2010 Scare Up a Good Book! Summer Reading Program Kick-off Party

WHERE:
Shorewood-Troy Public Library

WHEN:
Monday, June 14th from 1-3pm

WHY:
We want to get you excited for summer read! Not only do you get a cool gift for signing up for the program, but you will also have a chance to enjoy the amazing (and spooky) activities we have planned, including:

• A haunted house maze
  
• A live DJ
• Our Scholastic Book Fair
• A spooky train ride
• A Henna tattoo artist
• Lots of free refreshments!
  

Book Review- "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton

In the year 1913, a four year-old girl is found on the docks of an Australian port with no clue of her identity. Her only possession is a small white suitcase that contains a few personal effects, including a book of fairy tales. Taken in by the harbormaster and his wife, the girl, whom they call Nell, is raised as their own. On the night of her twenty-first birthday, Nell is told of her mysterious arrival to Australia, shattering her sense of self that she's had her entire life.

With little to go on, Nell travels to England to trace her story and find her true identity. Her search takes her to the wild Cornish coast, the imposing Blackhurst Manor, and to the heart of the doomed Mountrachet family. However, it is Nell's granddaughter Cassandra, who takes up the search after Nell's death, that finally puts the pieces of the puzzle together. At Cliff Cottage, on the grounds of Blackhurst Manor, Cassandra is able to find the forgotten garden, and solve the mystery surrounding the beautiful book of fairy tales and its mysterious writer, the Authoress.

This novel left me spellbound. The book skips between telling different characters' story, which fits right in with the flow of the book. Her characters are vivid and unforgettable. And the mystery in the heart of the book is sad yet beautiful. This novel is a wonderful read. Pick it up today!

Summer Read 2010 Line-Up!

We have an amazing line-up of events this year for our Summer Read Program. The theme is "Scare up a Good Book" so we hope you get the chills (and thrills!) while attending our events listed below:

2010 Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party
Monday, June 14 from 1-3PM
All ages

Scholastic Book Fair
Monday, June 14 - Thursday, June 17
Ages 12 and under

Spooky Diorama Contest
Monday, June 14 - Saturday, July 10
Ages 12 and under

Adult Book Discussion - "Under the Dome" by Stephen King
Wednesday, June 16 at 7PM
Adults

JJC Presents "The Villian Wore a Dirty Shirt or... Always Wash Your Long Johns..."
Friday, June 18 at 1:30PM
All ages

Summer Storytime
Tuesday, June 22 at 11AM
Ages 2-6

Wii Gaming - Mario Cart
Wednesday, June 23 at 3PM
Ages 13-18

Adult Book Discussion - "Dead and Gone" by Charlaine Harris
Wednesday, June 23 at 1PM
Adults

Crafty Creatures
Friday, June 25 at 1PM
Ages 12 and under

Anime Club
Friday, June 25 at 3PM
Ages 13-18

Summer Storytime
Monday, June 28 at 11AM
Ages 2-6

Haunted Illinois with Chad Lewis
Monday, June 28 at 7PM
All ages

Floats and Ghosts
Wednesday, June 30 at 2PM
Ages 12 and under

Adult Book Discussion - "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova
Wednesday, June 20 at 7PM
Adults

"Scare Up a Good Book" Magic Show
Thursday, July 1 at 2PM
Ages 12 and under

Crafty Creatures
Friday, July 2 at 1PM
Ages 12 and under

Anime Club
Friday, July 2 at 3PM
Ages 13-18

Musical Stories
Wednesday, July 7 at 11AM
Ages 2-6

Wii Gaming - Guitar Hero World Tour
Wednesday, July 7 at 3PM
Ages 13-18

Adult Book Discussion - "Ghost Country" by Sara Paretsky
Wednesday, July 7 at 3PM
Adults

Crafty Creatures
Friday, July 9 at 1PM
Ages 12 and under

Anime Club
Friday, July 9 at 3PM
Ages 13-18

Houdini: His Life & His Legend
Monday, July 12 at 7PM
All ages

Creepy Crawly Worm Race
Tuesday, July 13 at 11AM
Ages 3-12

Adult Book Discussion - "Secrets of Eden" by Chris Bohjalian
Wednesday, July 14 at 7PM
Adults

Summer Storytime
Thursday, July 15 at 11AM
Ages 2-6

Crafty Creatures
Friday, July 16 at 1PM
Ages 12 and under

Anime Club
Friday, July 16 at 1PM
Ages 13-18

Summer Storytime
Friday, July 23 at 11AM
Ages 2-6

Crafty Creatures
Friday, July 23 at 1PM
Ages 12 and under

Spa Day
Friday, July 23 at 3PM
Ages 13-18

Summer Reading Program Roller Skating Party
Sunday, July 25 at 4PM
Ages 12 and under

To sign up or find out more information about any of these events, please inquire at the library or click on the events and registrations page link to your right.

June New and Notable