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One of the most commonly asked questions I get working at A.K. Smiley Public Library is “what’s the last good book you have read?” Most of the time I get nervous and can’t remember; well luckily for you, my dear reader, I can recommend two good books to you.

I know it is only April, but my favorite book that I have read so far this year, is Murder Road by Simone St. James. Newlyweds April and Eddie are on their way to their honeymoon when they come across a young woman on the side of the road who looks like she is in need of help. They pick up the despondent woman and take her to the hospital where she is later pronounced dead. The cops immediately suspect them as the murderers. Trying to prove themselves innocent, April and Eddie uncover a sinister secret where more than one hitchhiker has been murdered on this murderous road. Check out this title to see what or who has been murdering innocent hitchhikers.

Another novel that I really enjoyed reading is The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo. If you are familiar with the mythology of the fox in Asian cultures, then I highly recommend this book. The Fox Wife takes place in 1908 in Manchuria where a ‘woman’ named Snow is seeking revenge and a detective named Bao is investigating a mysterious death of a young woman. Check out this novel to find out how Snow’s and Bao’s fates are intertwined.

Make your way down to A.K. Smiley Public Library and check out these two titles today!

The official start to baseball season is under way and exceptional books are in the lineup for fans of the game. Hope you’ll find one that knocks it out of the park.

April 15 is Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball commemorating the day Robinson made his debut as the first Black athlete to play in major league’s modern era. The year was 1947, and when Robinson took the field that day as a Brooklyn Dodger, the historic occasion marked the first steps towards ending over 60 years of segregation in professional baseball. “True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson” by Kostya Kennedy focuses on four major chapters in the life of this incredible baseball hero and civil rights leader. A wonderfully unique book, it’s a great look into both his professional and public life.

Not your typical baseball book, the engaging read, “The Wingmen: The Unlikely, Unusual, Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams” by Adam Lazarus examines the connection and surprising friendship between two iconic figures, astronaut John Glenn and baseball icon Ted Williams. Both became Marine pilots during the Korean War serving in the same squadron and flying several missions together. Coming from different backgrounds with vastly different personalities, Glenn eager to serve while Williams extremely reluctant, they both had something very significant in common. They both were great pilots. Through letters, diaries, and military records, learn the story of these two remarkable men who met in the airways above Korea, their diverse lives after the military, and enduring friendship.

As a child, a friend of mine and her family were hardcore Los Angeles Dodger fans and secured season tickets to watch them play for many years. I was lucky enough to be invited along on occasion and enjoyed watching these all-star players during the 70s and early 80s. Names like Tommy Lasorda, Steve Garvey, and Fernando Valenzuela were familiar to me. Of course, there was also the “Penguin,” a nickname given to Ron Cey due to his waddling running style.

In “Penguin Power: Dodger Blue, Hollywood Lights, and My One-in-a-Million Big League Journey,” author and former Dodger’s third baseman Ron Cey, along with Ken Gurnick, recounts his life in baseball. From college to the professionals, playing for the Dodgers and Cubs, Cey shares insights and opinions on teammates, recalls childhood idols like Willie Mays, weighs in on who were the best owners, and reveals celebrity encounters he’s had along the way. If you remember Major League Baseball from the 70s and 80s, this is a fun reminiscence into Los Angeles Dodger history and background on an outstanding player who was a six-time All-Star and the World Series Most Valuable Player in 1981.

Enjoy our new baseball books and be sure to catch a local softball or baseball game when you can. Redlands has amazing youth, adult, high school, and college teams that would love your support.

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program relies on its volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring to adults who are interested in improving their reading and writing. Literacy volunteers also support computer classes, family literacy programs, book clubs, and other activities that help adult learners reach their individual literacy goals. Every volunteer has a unique story about working in adult literacy, and many speak of the joy that comes when they help adults learn a new literacy skill that will be used in their work, personal, and/or family life. The following stories are examples of two tutors whose lives have been magically and deeply rewarded by improving the lives of learners through literacy.

Sharon Regalado is a former elementary school teacher who has volunteered with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program since 2012. When she retired, she missed teaching, but the adult literacy program has filled that gap in her life. It meets her need to help others further their education. Sharon said, “It is exciting to watch a woman who is brave enough to admit she needs help, come to the library to get that help, and then make progress.” Several of the adults Sharon has supported over the years have gone on to get jobs or enroll in college. When one graduates from the program, Sharon happily starts over with a new learner. She enjoys discovering their learning style, finding suitable activities, and helping them become the people that they want to be. Sharon loves tutoring and considers herself a teacher forever.

Grace Russell is another valued tutor in the Adult Literacy Program. Unlike Sharon, Grace does not have a background in teaching; she is a retired human resources specialist. Grace joined the program just six months ago and is enjoying the experience of one-on-one tutoring. Recently, Grace learned that her adult learner had had difficulty reading street signs as she was driving. In fact, the learner said she used to “drive blind” because she didn’t understand what the street signs said. The learner went on to explain that, since she began working with Grace, she has learned how to read and is now able to understand street signs and navigate her way through town. The street signs, in the learner’s words, are “coming alive” because she can read them and use this skill to drive to new places.

Both these stories demonstrate the real-life impact of helping adults improve their reading and writing. Adult learners work with tutors so that they can develop the literacy skills that are so necessary in our world to work to raise a family, and to enjoy the opportunities that surround us.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, you are invited to the next tutor orientation and training session on Saturday, April 6, at the A.K. Smiley Public Library Assembly Room. To reserve your place, please stop by A.K. Smiley Public Library at 125 W. Vine Street to indicate your interest, or contact one of the adult literacy staff by calling (909) 798-7565, or emailing literacy@akspl.org. The orientation will begin at 9:00 a.m. and training will be completed by 2:00 p.m. All services and materials are free.

You are also invited to share this information with others. Perhaps you know an adult who would benefit from adult literacy services. Please encourage them to contact the adult literacy staff. You will be helping them to change their lives!

Spring break is in full swing! Check out some of these books in a series and read through as many as you can while school is out!  These series books can be found in our fiction book area, shelved under the authors’ last names.

Rick Riordan has done it again…this volume: The Chalice of The Gods is volume six in part of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Folks may think their senior year is meant for making the most memories and making lifelong friendships.  Well, for Percy, things aren’t like that. Percy needs to ask for three recommendation letters, but to do so, he’ll need to complete three quests. Oh my, poor Percy. He is a tough kid, and he’s made it through the other five books, but what will happen in book six? (Insert biting fingernails in nervous gesture here). Guest appearances from Grover and Annabeth may be just what Percy needs to accomplish his goals.

The Kingdom Keepers Inheritance series written by Ridley Pearson is ready for you to check out volume two, Villains’ Realm.  Can Eli and his friends stop this next villain, Ursula, from ruining all of the Disney parks? Epcot Center is where this story begins, but Ursula has high hopes of creating Villains’ Realms worldwide. Eli and his friends MUST stop her; will they be able to surpass the evil with good? Check this book out to find out if Eli or Ursula was the victor.

Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams have done it again. With volume 29 in the Goddess Girls series, Elpis the Hopeful will continue to satisfy the fans of this series. Elpis, who starts the story as a bubble, yes, a bubble, is transformed into a girl with Principal Zeus’ help. The principal has high expectations for Elpis to maintain a healthy relationship with the human girls. Will Elpis be able to please the principal by becoming a girl, or will she be summoned back to exist as a bubble? Hmmm? This is a hard decision for Elpis to make…check out this next book of the series to find out what Elpis decided to do.

Kwame Mbalia has continued the story of Tristan in volume three of the Tristan Strong series, Tristan Strong Keeps Punching. Tristan is in seventh grade now and he’s gone off to Alabama for a nice, relaxing vacation with his grandparents. Or so he thinks it will be a relaxing vacation. Tristan unknowingly has launched a time war. Brer Rabbit and John Henry wind up in this volume with Tristan and engage in a battle to get Tristan back home. Will these folk heroes be able to assist Tristan enough to find his way home, or will Tristan wind up as the newest member of the folk hero story? Check this series out to read all about Tristan’s adventures.

Tracey West wrote volume 25 of the Dragon Masters series for us all to enjoy. Legend of the Star Dragon will whet your whistle with all things astronomy. With our upcoming eclipse in April, this volume of Dragon Masters will have you routing for Drake and all of the other Dragon Masters to stop the shadow dragon before it’s too late. Will the Shadow Dragon win this battle, or will Drake, the Star Dragon, and all of their cohorts save the world from pending darkness? Check out this volume to help route for Drake as well!

This year, Spring officially begins on March 19. In honor of the upcoming longer days, warmer temperatures, and spring garden veggies, Smiley Library is ready with new cookbooks filled with fresh recipes for now and the months ahead.

Back by popular demand, Jamie Oliver presents a second five-ingredients cookbook. This time, Jamie has gathered a collection of warm and inviting flavors from a much-loved region in “5 Ingredients Mediterranean.” Busy home cooks will appreciate that each recipe uses five simple ingredients, has a short list of instructions accompanied by a photo of the finished dish, and underneath, a small snapshot of each ingredient. In 20 minutes, sourdough bread, shrimp, garlic cloves, cannellini beans and harissa become a Tunisian bowl of harissa beans topped with garlicky shrimp and croutons. More sunny dishes include Lemon-Tzatziki Chicken, Moroccan-Inspired Pasta, Croatian Muscles, A Really French Salad, and Epic Tomato Bread. Puff Pastry is put to good use as a flaky holder for fresh lemon curd with raspberries and also as a bottom layer of an apple tart with apricot jam, almonds, and vanilla ice cream.

Ravinder Bhogal’s new cookbook, “Comfort and Joy,” showcases the variety of delicious flavors that can be found in vegetarian dishes. Sink your teeth into crispy nuggets of Korean Fried Cauliflower coated in a spicy chili sauce. Hot Cheese and Corn Dip with Jalapeno Relish can be served with toasted sourdough or tortilla chips. More tempting international recipes to try would be Green Goddess Dhal with Preserved Lemon, Baby Eggplant and New Potatoes cooked in a Sweet and Sour Nut Paste, plus Lasagna of Roasted Squash, Kale and Walnuts. For a refreshing dessert, Vegan Pina Colada Trifle with Tapioca Custard will cool your tongue after a spicy meal.

There is no shortage of delicious Asian umami flavors awaiting your taste buds inside the pages of “Oodles and Oodles of Vegan Noodles” by Cheynese Khachane. Creamy Coconut-Curry Ramen makes for a warm and comforting meal with just the right balance of spices. Other familiar noodle dishes you might enjoy are Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, and Vietnamese Pho. As the weather continues to heat up, Cheynese offers a selection of cold noodle soups and salads that are quick to make and fun to eat like Cold Noodle Soup with Kimchi, Cellophane Noodle Salad garnished with fresh tomato slices, and Cold Peanut Butter Noodles.

“Come Hungry” by Melissa Ben-Ishay is packed with easy-to-make meals centered around ingredients bursting with color, freshness, and flavor. Melissa gives us a bountiful selection of 21 different salads to put into rotation now and for the warmer months ahead. Consider sampling Joe’s Honey Chicken Salad with angel hair pasta, red peppers, and crispy air fryer chicken, Shaved (think ribbons) Carrot and Zucchini Salad, Green Goddess Salad, plus Supermarket Slaw with a quick dressing containing store-bought pesto and sour cream. To balance out all this fresh veggie goodness, do indulge your sweet tooth with some Cookies and Cream Icebox Cake, S’mores Fudge, or Peanut Butter Banana Bread.