Jill Martinson

Technology has increasingly become a big part of our lives. This year certainly has seen a boost of virtual activity with online classes, Zoom meetings, webinars and remote gatherings. While many are postponing in-person get-togethers right now, social networking has become another way to keep connected. No need to be concerned if this is all new to you. Here are some books to help you be virtually innovative and socialize while social distancing.

This holiday season, some people are taking a different approach to their traditional parties. Creative family and friends have branched out with Zoom, an audio and video conferencing software app. “Zoom for Dummies” by Phil Simon introduces you to this popular app, providing detailed instruction on how to use it for business or pleasure. Basically, it allows you to stream live video and audio via computer, tablet or phone. His book shows how to set up an account and download the app to conduct meetings, chats and webinars. You’ll learn about Zoom rooms, screen sharing, and cyber security. So, get it set up and have a live Zoom meeting with your distant relatives right from your very own living room. You can open the Christmas gifts you sent one another. It’ll be worth seeing the look of surprise on Uncle Bob’s face as he opens the lovely sweater you knitted for him. It’s all right. You did a good job for your first knitted project; who wants sleeves the same length anyway?

When you’re ready to share all those great holiday photos, consider setting up an Instagram account. “Instagram for Dummies” by Jenn Herman, Corey Walker and Eric Butow is not just useful for businesses looking to promote their products, but a great resource for individuals and families as well. It’s super easy to set up the app on your phone or computer. You can even set your account to private so only your family and friends who have accounts can access it. Learn how to share cool photos, adding stories, stickers and captions to spice things up. You’ll get help finding people to follow and connect with and most importantly, you’ll finally learn how to use a hashtag.

If you don’t know Facebook from Twitter or Instagram from YouTube, this next book is for you. “A Social Media Survival Guide” by Melody Karle gives brief overviews on some of the most popular social media like Facebook, Snapchat, Pinterest, YouTube, Twitter, well you get the idea. She discusses what each is, the main reason people use it, some terminology and the very, very basics on how to use it. Take a look at this if you’re a newbie to social media and just want to be able to nod your head in understanding and amazement when people say “Golly, my tweet has gotten so many retweets!”

Although A.K. Smiley Public Library has temporarily suspended in-person services, these titles and more are still available for checkout with our popular “Books to Go” service. You request the books online, via email or phone. We check them out and make an appointment for you to pick them up outside of the library. All the details are on our Books to Go webpage or as always, feel free to give us a call at (909) 798-7565. We’d love to hear from you!

“I always loved running… it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.” – Jesse Owens

There is a wealth of reasons why people enjoy running. Some run as a form of exercise; others to challenge and push their limits. Running can offer camaraderie or spur competitiveness, and at its best, impart a sense of great freedom. The following books feature runners, both from different backgrounds and circumstances. Although their paths to running started for diverse reasons, each found great purpose in this simple act.

Noé grew up in Yakima, Washington. By the time he was 17, he worked alongside his mother, an immigrant from Mexico, in a fruit packing plant where she had toiled for decades. Working conditions for the tired agricultural workers were tough with long hours and he grew quite resentful of the heavy toll it took on his mother and father, an orchard laborer. His parents both encouraged him to take a less arduous path for his future. To get a break from his troubles, Noé would run around his desert home, over the rivers and hills, and neighborhoods, thinking of what it meant to be the son of immigrants.

When he earned a full scholarship to Whitman College, he thought perhaps a better future was in sight. However, he had a hard time fitting in, internalizing the Latino stereotypes he heard around him. It is in college where he learns of the Peace and Dignity Journeys, a marathon created to unite and heal indigenous nations. “Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon through North America’s Stolen Land” by Noé Álvarez is a memoir of his four-month run from Canada to Guatemala, alongside Native Americans from different tribes. He describes the intense challenges of the run and the stories of his running mates, who were all confronting their own personal struggles. Noé shares how this experience helped him forge new relationships, with both the land and his heritage.

Meb Keflezighi is a name quite well known in the running world. He’s won numerous titles, won both the Boston and New York marathons and earned a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics. Born in Asmara, Eritrea, he fled war-torn Ethiopia as a ten year old, eventually ending up in San Diego. In his book “26 Marathons: What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life” he covers these runs, ranging from 2002 to 2017, devoting a chapter to each. A recap of the races are provided in addition to valuable life lessons he took away from each one. Runners will definitely appreciate this book.

If you’re a long distance runner yourself and want some great tips, who better than Meb Keflezighi to be your personal trainer? In “Meb for Mortals: How to Run, Think, and Eat Like a Champion Marathoner,” you’ll get all the physical, mental and nutritional training you need, and just about anything else you can think of, from a world-class runner. There are great ideas here to incorporate into your own routine.

Rock. Pop. Classical. Jazz. Rap. Country. Over forty brand new music biographies, histories, studies and appreciations have been added to our collection and are ready for check out. Take a look at the following selections and enjoy the wide-ranging assortment of tuneful titles to take home.

One of the strongest voices in the 1950s and 1960s folk revival scene during the Civil Rights Movement was Odetta Holmes, or just Odetta as she was known. Born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1930, this influential singer songwriter brought to light the folk songs, plantation work songs, and chain gang songs that depicted racial inequality and struggle through her music and political activism. She was a major inspiration to many well-known artists including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Harry Belafonte. “Odetta: A Life in Music and Protest” by Ian Zack examines her musical beginnings, introduction into the world of folk music while on tour in San Francisco, and rise from coffeehouse to Carnegie Hall. Her political involvement included marches alongside Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. While the white folk musicians around her received the recognition which eluded her, she stood with integrity and conveyed a vital message to educate and advocate for social change through her powerful vocals and guitar. When you get a chance, listen to her music. You’ll be glad you did.

With fifteen Grammy wins to her credit, there is no doubt that Alicia Keys is an extremely talented musician with an amazing voice and pianistic prowess. In her honest biography “More Myself: A Journey” she invites you into her life: her childhood, family, and musical career. Born in 1981, in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan, she was determined to rise above the tough way of life, drugs, and prostitution she saw around her. Keys’ mother, whose guidance was steadfast, introduced her to music at an early age through jazz records by Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, and Ella Fitzgerald. Classical and jazz piano lessons starting in first grade and Professional Performing Arts School at twelve followed, allowing her creativity to flourish and instilling in her a lifelong love of music. She takes you through the evolution of her music, discusses celebrity friendships and life with husband Swizz Beatz. Social activism is an important part of her life and she fights injustice through song, as well as action, as exemplified in her charity work and nonprofit organizations. Join her on her journey as she learns the great importance of being true to herself.

With the variety of new music books we have on hand, I’m sure there will be something that will pique your interest. Here are just a few more popular titles we have available for your consideration:

Familiar Faces:

“Acid for the Children: A Memoir” by Flea; “Beethoven: the Relentless Revolutionary” by John Clubbe; “Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: the Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup” by David Browne; “Dave Brubeck: A Life in Time” by Philip Clark; “Face It” by Debbie Harry; “Janis: Her Life and Music” by Holly George-Warren; “Jay-Z: Made in America” by Michael Eric Dyson; “Me” by Elton John; “Me & Patsy Kickin’ Up Dust: My Friendship with Patsy Cline” by Loretta Lynn; “Summertime: George Gershwin’s Life in Music” by Richard Crawford; “Texas Flood: the Inside Story of Stevie Ray Vaughan” by Alan Paul and Andy Aledort.

Illustrated Offerings:

“Bruce Springsteen: the Stories Behind the Songs” by Brian Hiatt; “Carpenters: An Illustrated Discography” by Randy Schmidt; “Country Music” by Dayton Duncan, based on a documentary film by Ken Burns; “Women Who Rock: Bessie to Beyonce. Girl Groups to Riot Grrrl” edited by Evelyn McDonnell; “Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music” by Michael Lang.

Musical Musings:

“Decoding Dylan: Making Sense of the Songs that Changed Modern Culture” by James M. Curtis; “For the Love of Music: A Conductor’s Guide to the Art of Listening” by John Mauceri; “Music: A Subversive History” by Ted Gioia; “Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music that Made a Nation” by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw; “William S. Burroughs & the Cult of Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Casey Rae.

These titles may be checked out through our Books-to-Go program. Give us a call at 909 798-7565 or visit our website at www.akspl.org for more information.

I’ve heard that adventure awaits in the out-of-doors and I believe it to be true. While hiking a mountain trail, I about scared myself half to death because I looked up to see a bear just yards away from me, with a look that said “Oh good, my lunch has arrived.” It thankfully turned out to be a charred old tree stump, but definitely made me feel like I had just slammed three energy drinks. Funny thing is that on the way back the same trail later that evening, I scared “the other half of me that was still alive” when I saw that “bear” again, this time ready for his dinner appetizer. I guess I don’t quite rank as fearless, but I sure enjoy reading about the true daredevils that venture into the wild.

The Amazon River, runs from its source in the Peruvian Andes to the Atlantic Ocean in Brazil, more than 4000 miles. Darcy Gaechter, at thirty-five, set out to kayak its entire length, the first woman ever, to accomplish that. “Amazon Woman: Facing Fears, Chasing Dreams, and a Quest to Kayak the World’s Largest River from Source to Sea” by Darcy Gaechter details her amazing story. With 16 years of kayaking experience to her credit, she was certainly prepared to be fatigued and hungry, getting trapped and pummeled by the water and jagged rocks, enduring all the inevitable hardships that would be constant companions during her journey. Awaiting her and her fellow kayakers, Don and Midge, was a month of traversing the most difficult whitewater in the world, followed by three to four months of flatwater paddling for over 3000 miles. What would come as a surprise, though, would be the unforeseen dangers of traveling through the Red Zone, an area of the river known for violence, danger, drug cartels and even murder. This is one exciting read, sure to be a wild ride.

Best-selling author and mountaineer, Jon Krakauer is well-known for his nonfiction works, “Into the Wild” and “Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster.” In “Classic Krakauer: Essays on Wilderness and Risk” a collection of ten previously published articles from magazines like Outsider and Smithsonian, are presented featuring an assortment of dangerous endeavors. Follow Krakauer on a roped descent into Lechugilla Cave, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. He accompanies scientists who are hoping to better understand Mars through inspecting a mud-like substance called corrosion residue. Witness the last ride of professional surfer, Mark Foo at Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, Northern California. Speculate on alpinist Fred Beckey’s legendary “Little Black Book” with its secret notes on unclimbed peaks. Enjoy this collection of short reads from an always impressive outdoor enthusiast and journalist.

Here’s a quick look at one more gripping story from our new books section. “The Impossible First: from Fire to Ice-Crossing Antarctica Alone” follows Colin O’Brady from an unfortunate accident to a solo crossing of Antarctica, all 932 miles of it, in subzero temperatures for 2 months, pulling a sled that initially weighed a whopping 375 lbs. An incredible adventure that will transport you to a frozen world.

All of these books may be checked out by library cardholders using our Books to Go service. This can be done online, by email, or by phone. We’ll then check out the books on your card, bag them and call to set up a pick-up time to meet outside of the library. You’ll find the details on our website at akspl.org on the Books to Go link or call us at (909) 798-7565. See you soon.

Since we’re all currently spending a lot more time inside, here’s a way to be able to still enjoy your favorite books, all from the comfort of your own home. A.K. Smiley Public Library’s eLibrary provides both eBooks and eAudio books, available to our registered borrowers for download to their devices through Overdrive. For more information, visit our website at www.akspl.org and click on eLibrary. You’ll find a lot of options available in both fiction and nonfiction. Here are a few digital titles on my favorite subject, animals.

I grew up around animals. Not only were my days filled with caring for and playing with my furry, feathered, and scaly family, they were my confidants and co-conspirators. Their personalities were as unique and varied as was their species. Ginger, the big red hound who loved to howl at fire engines, Mildred, our sweet long-haired grey and white cat, our Pekin duck and resident court jester who found great enjoyment in chasing us around the backyard, rabbits, lizards and lovebirds inevitably found a place in our home. I hold a very special place in my heart for all the animal family who have graced my presence over the years. Here are some titles celebrating these gentle and beautiful souls.

From debut novelist Mara Wells comes the light read, “Cold Nose, Warm Heart” the first book in the Fur Haven Dog Park series. This cute and funny romance is sure to put a smile on your face. Set in Miami Beach, Riley Carson is building manager of the run-down apartment building named “The Dorothy” where her grandmother currently resides and tells Riley that she owns. All the senior residents and their dogs, including Riley’s poodle LouLou, love gathering in the adjacent lot they use as a dog park. Change may be around the corner though, when Caleb Donovan shows up ordered by his grandfather, who claims he is the owner, to tear down this very same apartment and replace it with new condos. Caleb’s mission is to make sure the place gets turned into a money maker with a huge parking garage right where the “dog park” is now located. Who actually owns the building? It would make sense that Riley and Caleb would be outright enemies, so why does there seem to be a spark of mutual attraction? Available as an eBook, this entertaining book is full of quirky and fun characters, both human and furry.

Listening to titles is another great way to get your “book fix.” Available to download from the Overdrive Library in eAudio format, as well as eBook format is the popular nonfiction read “Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World” by Vicki Myron. When an abandoned kitten is left in the book slot of the Spencer Public Library, no one could have guessed how much this little ball of fur would end up touching their lives. Meet Dewey Readmore Books and learn the charming story of a little ginger cat who made a big impact on a small town.

There are even titles for your kids to enjoy. “A Wolf Called Wander” by Roseanne Perry, available in eAudio format, is about a young wolf cub named Swift that is separated from his wolf pack family after an attack by a rival pack. Based on a true story, this novel follows his thousand mile perilous journey across the Pacific Northwest to find a new home.

If you haven’t checked out our eLibrary yet, now’s the perfect time.