What's New

Smiley Library was fortunate to recently add a great selection of music books representing diverse genres to our circulating collection. Jazz enthusiasts enjoyed “Straighten Up and Fly Right: the Life and Music of Nat King Cole” by Will Friedwald. Country music lovers learned the background stories behind the songs in the autobiography “Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics” available in both print and audio. Popular music listeners got a peek into Jeff Buckley’s thoughts and inspirations in “Jeff Buckley: His Own Voice: Journals, Objects and Ephemera.”

The following items highlight music from a much earlier time period, including the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras. This rich musical history dates from the 1600s through around 1900, with familiar names like Vivaldi, Beethoven and Liszt. Take a closer look at our classical music books and compact discs available for checkout.

Exceptionally detailed and entertaining, “Mozart: the Reign of Love” by Jan Swafford will tell you absolutely everything you want to know about the Austrian composer born in 1756 who died at the young age of 35. Wolfgang Mozart was a musical prodigy performing in front of royal courts at an early age. At seven, his father Leopold showcased his and his sister Nannerl’s talents, touring them across Europe for three years, traveling thousands of miles and stopping in 88 cities. At eight, Mozart wrote his first symphony, his first opera at 11. Swafford provides a comprehensive overview of Mozart’s musical influences, tours in Italy and time in Vienna. His personal life, marriage, friendships and frustrations are fully explored. From the progression of his career to the keys he wrote his operas in, even Mozart aficionados will learn something new and acquire an appreciation of the man behind the music.

Interesting short entries, biographical backgrounds and beautiful pictures comprise “Composers: Their Lives and Works” by DK Publishing. Featured composers commence in the 11^th century with Italian monk, Guido d’Arezzo, considered the inventor of modern musical staff notation. You’ll proceed throughout history, examining key works and visiting various time periods before reaching the final entry with British composer Judith Weir, born in 1954. This is a wonderful book to peruse and quite a resource for those new to classical music.

Your education won’t be complete without taking time to listen to the expressive and beautiful pieces classical music offers. Smiley Library’s circulating compact disc collection is the perfect way to become acquainted with this passionate music and broaden your aural pallet. Vivladi’s Four Seasons, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake are just a few of the pieces you can check out on CD.

If you get the chance to attend a live performance, it’s such a rewarding experience. The Redlands Bowl is presenting fantastic concerts in 2021, both virtual and live. In-person concerts include classical, taiko drumming, Latin big band, the music of India and Brazil. For information and updates, visit www.redlandsbowl.org.

Founded in 1950, the Redlands Symphony has continually provided outstanding, high-quality performances for the community. Definitely make time to hear them once they are back in the concert hall again. www.redlandssymphony.com

When visiting the Smiley Library this coming July, note the display case next to the main circulation desk. It’s dedicated to classical music, and we’ll have some of our favorite books ready for you to take home.

Written communication is an important skill in today’s world. To meet this important literacy need, the Redlands Adult Literacy Program has initiated a series of writing workshops to help adult learners improve their writing skills. The workshops have been designed to help parents communicate with their children’s teachers through email or texting applications. The writing workshops are also tailored to learners who need help finding jobs or want to improve their job skills. Many of these learners have found that employers frequently require them to complete writing skills tests as part of their job applications, or while employed, to communicate effectively in emails and written reports. Adult learners who face the challenge of communicating in writing have enthusiastically enrolled into the writing workshops.

Instructor Kim Green has adapted pre-pandemic in-person writing strategies to a virtual format and has transformed Zoom meetings into interactive, safe, friendly places to share ideas and learn from one another. By practicing their writing in a safe environment, adult learners gain skills enabling them to communicate with educators, health professionals, or employers with confidence. The workshops augment the one-to-one tutoring sessions the learners have with their tutors.

Ms. Green explained, “I designed the virtual writing classes to offer learning opportunities for and be inclusive of participants at varying levels of literacy proficiency… Starting with the first workshop last fall, it’s been gratifying to see the supportive environment and camaraderie that already existed in our in-person classes quickly emerge on Zoom. There is a mutual respect and appreciation for each other, and as a result, participants are willing to share their writing at every stage, from their early brainstorming ideas all the way through to full paragraphs.”

Both tutors and adult learners benefit from attending the workshops. Tutors learn strategies that they can implement in their tutoring sessions, and learners practice new writing skills and enjoy the sense of community that is built as class participants share their writings with one another.

The writing classes are interactive and provide time and space for creativity. Every class begins with a pre-writing activity. Tutor Teresa Wong Stein shared that she found Kim’s teaching methods very helpful. She appreciated the way that Kim would always provide an example so that class participants could imagine what each writing assignment could look like.

Writing templates and worksheets provide a simple, accessible means for class participants to start their own writing projects. As Sheron Bealer observed, “The structure of the course makes it easy to participate. The lessons are broken down to simple steps that make writing fun and something we each can accomplish.” Adult learner Tanya Jauregui shared that the prewriting template helped her to brainstorm ideas for her writing. Tutor Jeanne Fortier added, “I have watched adult learners who attend the writing workshops grow in confidence and help others who need assistance. I am impressed with how hard they work on assignments.”

Marilyn Bean shared, “As a literacy volunteer, I appreciate how completely Kim Green breaks down the writing process. Her instruction helps me to be a better tutor in the learning process. The Library has a strong literacy program for those wishing to grow in their ability to read and write. It is a privilege to be part of the program.”

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program seeks additional volunteers who can help motivated adults improve their reading and writing. If you know of someone who needs help in reading and writing, please encourage them to take the first step in changing their lives by contacting the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. The program provides the opportunity for free, one-on-one tutoring and literacy classes such as the writing workshops. If you would like to learn more about the program, please contact Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator, at 909.798.7565, ext. 4138 or email: literacy@akspl.org. To learn more about the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, please visit the adult literacy website: akspl.org/literacy.

“So, if I’m cooking, I’ll be steaming vegetables, making some nice salad, that kind of stuff.”

– Paul McCartney

Open-Faced Pesto Melts, Easy Cheesy Lasagna, Pinto Bean Tostadas, Rice and Lentil Burgers, Fruit Juice Gummies and No-Bake Brownie Bites await you in “Vegetarian Family Cookbook” by Kristen Wood. You can sneak more fruits and veggies in while serving flavorful snacks like Creamy Coconut Fruit Dip with apple slices, Banana Oatmeal Bars, Baked Broccoli Tots plus Chickpea and Zucchini Nuggets dipped in Rosemary Honey Mustard Sauce. Picky eaters of all ages will find much to like among these 100 meat-free dishes.

Saving time while creating delicious food is the theme of these next two cookbooks. First up is “Speedy Bosh!” by Henry Firth and Ian Theasby. In it, they will show you how to take advantage of common kitchen appliances, ready-made ingredients and their wealth of kitchen hacks to quickly and efficiently get yummy dishes on the table in 30 minutes or less. Now, it’s possible to make Teriyaki Tempeh, Deep, Dark Smoky Chili, and Happy Chick’n Parmo without spending hours in the kitchen. For dessert, there’s Red Velvet Sorbet, Blueberry Cheesecake Shake and Creamy Lime Pie.

Secondly, is Ally Lazare’s “Plant-Based Diet in 30 Minutes.” Her focus is on creating quick and tasty vegan food that is low in salt, sugar and saturated fat. Ally gives us a dozen breakfast ideas to fuel our mornings like Zucchini-Carrot Oatmeal Muffins, Pumpkin Spice Scones, Pancake Tray, Two Ways plus Very Berry Smoothie and Go Green Smoothie. For lunch and dinner there’s Buffalo Ranch Pasta Salad, Egg-Roll-in-a-Bowl Stir Fry, Seven-Layer Burritos, Greek Veggie Bowls with Hummus and Crab Cake Burgers using chickpeas and hearts of palm.

Cafe Gratitude is a popular plant-based restaurant with six locations serving Southern California. Since 2008, the executive chef, Seizan Dreux Ellis has been creating fresh, whole-food-inspired vegan fare to enthusiastic diners. Now, home chefs can replicate their favorite restaurant dishes from his new cookbook, “Love is Served.” Here is a sampling of what’s inside: Honeydew Melon and Cucumber Gazpacho with Spicy Pepitas, Indian Curry Bowl, Tempeh Caesar Wrap, Pad Thai Kelp Noodles and Hawaiian Pizza with an Ancient Grain Crust. To satisfy that sweet tooth, indulge in some Strawberry Shortcake in a Jar, decadent Black Lava Cake with Caramel Sauce, Key Lime Pie and chewy Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies.

“A Day for Rememberin’: Inspired by the True Events of the First Memorial Day,” is a newly released book by children’s author Leah Henderson. The phrase, “a day for rememberin’”– just about says it all about the holiday we observe at the end of May each year. How many of us mark that day remembering what we’re asked to, and how many are even aware of the intention of the holiday?

This new addition to A.K. Smiley Public Library’s Young Readers’ Room will help new readers—and older ones—learn about the history of the day and why it’s important to observe it. Memorial Day is designated as a day to remember the countless number of our neighbors, friends, and relatives throughout history who have given up their lives in duty to their country while serving in the military.

Henderson’s inspiring account is of one of the first commemorations of Memorial Day — on May 1, 1865. She encountered the story through a photograph of a gathering for Decoration Day, as it was initially named. She tells it through the eyes of Eli, the 10-year-old son of a formerly enslaved man, who, with his family, is moved to honor those who had given their lives fighting for the freedom of his community in the conflict which had divided the United States.

The War Between the States is featured in another new addition to the Library, “The Black Civil War Soldier: a Visual History of Conflict and Citizenship.” Author Deborah Willis honors this often unrecognized group of Civil War soldiers using the medium of photography, the use of which was beginning to become widespread during the mid-1800s. Willis showcases a collection of portraits and personal ephemera exploring the lives of the Black Union soldiers, as well as those of other African Americans aiding in the struggle, from family members left behind to female spies, ultimately revealing their remarkable resilience.

Besides the volumes inspired by photographs and letters, authors have also conducted interviews with soldiers in some of our new books. Bestseller “Modern Warriors: Real Stories from Real Heroes” is an offering by FOX & Friends Weekend cohost Pete Hegseth. His is a collection of stirring narratives from fifteen individuals, including decorated Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, marines, Purple Heart recipients, combat pilots, a Medal of Honor recipient, and more.

From bestselling novelist James Patterson is the non-fiction volume, “Walk in My Combat Boots: True Stories from America’s Bravest Warriors.” Patterson and his team spoke with veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf, and Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Among other experiences, each relays how they dealt with threats of sudden death from snipers and improvised explosive devices, and how a majority of them suffer degrees of post-traumatic stress.

Of course Memorial Day is really about the soldiers who are not able to tell us their stories, the ones who didn’t make it home to us. The following two books get as close as we can to knowing them, through those who knew them best, their families. “Three Wise Men: a Navy Seal, a Green Beret, and How their Marine Brother Became a War’s Sole Survivor,” is written by brother Beau Wise (with Tom Sileo), a United States Marine Corps combat veteran who is the only known American service member to be pulled from the battlefield after losing two brothers in Afghanistan.

“Sacrifice: a Gold Star Widow’s Fight for the Truth” is a poignant memoir by Michelle Richmond Black who details her grief in becoming a gold-star widow. After losing her Green Beret husband, Bryan Black, when he died fighting the Islamic State in Niger in 2017, Michelle Black went looking for answers. Given few details about her husband’s death, Black conducted exclusive interviews with the survivors of her husband’s unit and delved into research of military leadership and accountability to learn what happened to him that final day and, finally, to know and understand his full sacrifice.

Here is a list of additional current titles available at the Library remembering soldiers. Pick up one to peruse and take “a day for rememberin’” the soldier’s sacrifice — the ultimate sacrifice, for fellow soldier, for country, and for each of us.

• The daughters of Kobani : a story of rebellion, courage, and justice
• The Greatest Beer Run Ever: a Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty, and War
• Ghost Flames: Life and Death in a Hidden War, Korea 1950-1953
• I Marched with Patton: a Firsthand Account of World War II alongside One of the U.S. Army’s Greatest Generals
• Facing the Mountain: a True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II
• Inferno: the True Story of a B-17 Gunner’s Heroism and the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History
• Whatever It Took: an American Paratrooper’s Extraordinary Memoir of Escape, Survival, and Heroism in the Last Days of World War II
• The York Patrol: the Real Story of Alvin York and the Unsung Heroes Who Made Him World War I’s Most Famous Soldier
• A Thousand May Fall: Life, Death, and Survival in the Union Army (an account of German immigrant soldiers)