A.K. Smiley Public Library Blog

Serving the City of Redlands, California since 1894

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On a waiting list for a book? Try these recommendations for an alternative

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What should you check out at A.K. Smiley Public Library when all of the books you want to read are already checked out? Well, lucky for you, I have a few book recommendations if you find yourself on the request list for a few of the Library’s most popular titles. Who knows, you might like these titles more than the titles you have on hold.

Kristen Hannah’s latest title about the Great Depression, “The Four Winds,” is so popular that at one time there were a staggering 30 requests for it. If you find yourself on this list, try “Send for Me” by Lauren Fox, a story set in Germany at the beginning of World War II.

“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V. E. Schwab has been on so many bestseller lists that the Library can’t keep its two copies checked in. Instead, try these two magical titles, “The Midnight Bargain” by C.L Polk or “The Year of Witching” by Alexis Henderson.

“Set My Heart to Five” by Simon Stephenson and “The Hierarchies” by Ros Anderson should tide you over until Kasuo Ishiguro’s latest novel, “Klara and the Sun,” a novel about artificial intelligence, becomes available for check out.

Check out these titles and more. Make sure to check our website at www.akspl.org, or call the Library at 909-798-7565 for our updated hours.

Lights! Camera! Action!

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Welcome to the theater! You’re just in time for the previews. I see that you’ve got your popcorn and drinks. I’ll show you to your seats.

New books celebrating the cinema are ready for circulation at Smiley Library. You’ll get to meet notable actors and directors, learn a bit about old Hollywood, and receive great DVD suggestions too. Hurry now, the lights are dimming and the curtain is just opening. Please sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

It’s hard to think of Alfred Hitchcock without picturing the infamous “shower scene” with Janet Leigh from the movie Psycho. If you’ve watched some of his classics, you’ll enjoy reading the history behind each masterpiece in “Alfred Hitchcock: The Complete Films.” This guide covers the early silent years to his final film in 1976. Brief background stories of his 53 movies along with accompanying stills give insight into one of the most prominent men in film. This would be a fun book to become acquainted with his prolific films, many of which may be brand new to you and some you may wish to add to your watch list.

Matthew McConaughey admirers will enjoy this next book. From his supporting role in Dazed and Confused to his Oscar-winning performance in Dallas Buyers Club, McConaughey has starred in numerous movies becoming a well-known celebrity. Now, with his first memoir “Greenlights” on the Los Angeles and New York Times bestseller lists, he’s proven to be just as popular as an author. Through a collection of candid personal stories, poems, and experiences drawn from a journal he has kept for the last 36 years, he shares insights explaining what it means to have “greenlights” in your life; affirmations you’re heading in the right direction. Full of stories from his childhood, world travels, career and family, he analyzes the moments that life gave him the go-ahead, and how to recognize and embrace that. An entertaining examination into a life as only Matthew could tell it.

Take a step back in years to old Hollywood with personalities like Rudolph Valentino, Olivia De Havilland, Clark Gable, and Mary Pickford. “This Was Hollywood: Forgotten Stars and Stories” by Carla Valderrama is the perfect overview of Hollywood during its Golden Age. Full of interesting history, trivia and a touch of scandal, even classic movie buffs will find a treasury of remarkable facts to learn here. Did you know Rita Hayworth was a “painfully shy” girl with long black hair dancing in a nightclub act with her father in Tijuana before becoming a Hollywood screen idol? Learn about the incredible talent of the Nicholas Brothers, dancing at the legendary Cotton Club. I’m sure you’ve heard of Rin Tin Tin, but how about Puzzums, “the most human cat in pictures?” This charming book has a wonderful “old school” vibe with abundant vintage photos and graphics.

Additional New Books Celebrating the Big Screen:

Many films and works from the directors mentioned above are available for viewing from our extensive DVD collection. Familiar favorites like Psycho, Taxi Driver, Dallas Buyers Club, Batman Begins, Platoon, and Annie Hall as well as other classics, new releases, documentaries, musicals, adult and children’s titles are ready for you to check out, take home and enjoy.

In addition to our DVDs, you can stream classic, independent, foreign and educational films for free with a Smiley Library card through our Kanopy database. There are so many great films to watch here; I highly recommend taking a look.

Join the Redlands Adult Literacy Program 2021 Community Read, ongoing through August

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The Redlands Adult Literacy Program has named the classic story Charlotte’s Web, written by E. B. White, as its 2021 Community Read.  Charlotte’s Web is a story that speaks to all generations with its themes of friendship, life, death, and the power of words. The Community Read offers the opportunity for parents and children, readers who have read Charlotte’s Web or are new to the story, book club members and others, to experience the book’s message in a new way, particularly as we reflect on all that has occurred in the last year.

Trudy Waldron, a retired teacher and former volunteer coordinator of the Adult Literacy Program, shared how Charlotte’s Web speaks to youth and adults. She wrote, “It is a fact that even if we read a book several times, with each reading comes new insights and lessons to be learned. In Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White writes with an honesty and openness that gives us the opportunity to reflect on such adult themes as loneliness, fear, death and, of course, honest friendships…It is indeed a TERRIFIC read.”

Guillermina Rangel, an adult learner enrolled in the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, is reading Charlotte’s Web for the first time. She observed, “I just love Wilbur, how innocent he is and his determination to learn. I also like Charlotte, who is very well educated, patient and compassionate towards Wilbur. To me, she is like a very dedicated teacher.”

To enhance the reading experience, a Charlotte’s Web activity guide has been posted on the Adult Literacy website: akspl.org/literacy. The guide includes a history of the author and the book’s illustrator, Garth Williams, as well as vocabulary, discussion topics, and activities for people of all ages.

Monthly activities related to Charlotte’s Web have been planned so that community insights can be shared. Everyone is invited to submit drawings or writings with a submission form that is included in the guide. Submissions can be dropped off or mailed to A. K. Smiley Public Library at 125 W. Vine St., Redlands, CA 92373. Deadlines for submissions are as follows:

                              Submission                                                                 Deadline

 

Write about your favorite character from Charlotte’s Web.  Explain                 April 30

why the character was special to you.

 

Draw an agricultural scene – groves, a farm, a ranch – it’s your choice!           May 31

 

Choose a character from Charlotte’s Web and write a story from this               June 30

character’s perspective.

 

Submit an art project that reflects Charlotte’s Web.                                            July 31

 

Write a letter to E.B. White, the author, to tell him what you liked about           August 31

Charlotte’s Web and how his book moved you.

 

Dorothy Nordquist, a retired school teacher and AAUW community volunteer, took a college class that centered on Charlotte’s Web. She shared: “Charlotte became my role model, and even now I remember her wise quotes. A favorite quote from the book is, “You have been my friend,” replied Charlotte. “That in itself is a tremendous thing…after all, what’s life anyway?” We’re born, we live a little while, we die…By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle…Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.”

Being able to read and express one’s thoughts in writing “lifts” one’s life more than a trifle. The Redlands Adult Literacy Program provides the opportunity for free, one-on-one tutoring to adults who want to improve their reading and writing. 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.

Imagine that(!)–with these new chapter books for kids

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Reading a fictional novel can help pass the time; take you to places near or far, real or imaginary. This week’s article is on chapter books for kids–let their imaginations run wild!

You can find all of these chapter books on our New Book shelf in the Young Readers’ Room.

Starting off our list is book volume 8.5 of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series entitled “Unlocked.” This new volume will not disappoint fans of this Shannon Messenger series. It is filled with colored photos, character guides for many of the folks in the series, a map of the land and much more. This book was created to read after you’ve finished book 8 and before you read book 9, hence 8.5! Hurry to be the first patron to check it out!

Jumping to another wonderfully written adventure book by Newbery Medal winner Rodman Philbrick, “Wild River” will have readers sitting on the edge of their seats, quickly turning pages to continue the journey! White-water river rafting can be a fun outing, but, it can also be a scary endeavor. Read about middle school student, Daniel, and his other teammates who took a fun, free vacation, or so they think! Check it out soon and maybe you’d like to take a white-water river rafting trip too, or not?

How many of you have read the Stick Dog series written by Tom Watson? Well, if you have, the next volume is ready for you: “Stick Dog Takes Out Sushi.” In book eleven of the series, Stick Dog and his friends will lead you on another tummy busting, hysterical expedition. If you haven’t yet had the privilege to read any of these books, now is your chance! Written for readers ages 8 – 12, Stick Dog will have your reader laughing out loud and wanting more, sushi!

“Serena Says,” written by Tanita S. Davis, will help to shed some light on growing up and learning how to keep a friendship. Have your kids read a blog, written a blog, lost a friend or made new friends? Serena has done all of these things. Wouldn’t life be so much easier if we could delete conversations or erase a bad memory? Serena thinks so. She keeps her blog, but never actually posts any of them. Maybe your child could start their own blog once they read what “Serena Says.”

Stuart Gibbs has written another fabulous chapter book for children entitled “Charlie Thorne and the Lost City.” This is book 2 of 2 in the series of Charlie Thorne. Have you ever been able to decipher a code? Charlie has, and now that she is on hiatus in the Galapagos Islands, she thinks this ‘vacation’ will be relaxing. But, how can someone as smart as Charlie not take an assignment that sounds so exciting? Will Charlie be able to decipher Charles Darwin’s code? Can she overcome the challenges and enemies who are on her trail? Check out this title to find out and maybe you can be the next reader to decipher a secret code?!

Featuring favorite foods from around the world

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“What I’ve enjoyed most, though, is meeting people who have a real interest in food and sharing ideas with them. Good food is a global thing and I find that there is always something new and amazing to learn – I love it!” Jamie Oliver

Nom Wah Tea Parlor, located in New York City’s Chinatown, has been serving up delicious plates of dim sum with steaming cups of tea for over a century. Traditional favorites like Roast Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao), Scallion Pancakes and Spring Rolls now share the table with new flavor innovations like Sweet Potato Kale Wontons, Chorizo Potato Dumplings and Chinese Chopped Cheese Dumplings. More taste bud teasers to make are Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage, Garlic Eggplant Noodles, Walnut Shrimp, Sweet and Sour Pork Chops and Moon Cookies. History, stories and 75 recipes are seamlessly brought together in Wilson Tang’s “The Nom Wah Cookbook.”

“Chaat” by Maneet Chauhan and Jody Eddy introduces us to the wide variety of prepared foods available on-the-go in India. Chaat is described as “The sweet, salty, spicy, crunchy, creamy, hot and cold snacks – street food, really – found in Indian markets, train stations, and home kitchens.” Some drinks and dishes may be familiar such as curry, chutney, samosas, chai and the sweet yogurt drink called Lassi. Maneet provides the base recipe for this refreshing beverage and a variety of flavor ideas including mango, strawberry and brewed espresso. New and tempting chaat to try might be Vada Pav (Potato Fritter Sandwich), Lemon Rice, Brinjal Achaar (Eggplant Pickles) and Jhal Muri (Puffed Rice with Peanuts, Chickpeas and Vegetables.) Maneet has gathered recipes from all over her home country so you can experience a taste of India in your home kitchen.

Sabrina Ghayour, author of “Persiana” invites us back to her table for more Middle Eastern-inspired recipes with “Simply: Easy Everyday Dishes.” Sabrina serves up tasty food you’ll want to add to your weekly meal rotation. For instance, Pomegranate Molasses and Honey-Glazed Meatballs, Harissa Chicken Noodle Lettuce Cups, Lamb, Cumin, Cilantro and Chile Kebabs, Ultimate Falafels plus Crispy Cod Wraps with Salsa and Harissa Lime Mayo. When it’s too hot to cook, Tomato & Peanut Salad with Tamarind Ginger and Honey Dressing, Pear, Chickpea and Green Leaf Salad with Maple Harissa Dressing and Strawberry, Soft Goat Cheese and Pistachio Salad are cool and refreshing ideas to keep in mind.

“The Chilean Kitchen” by Pilar Hernandez and Eileen Smith gives us 75 traditional recipes from this South American country. Chileans are very fond of bread whether it is the flaky container for savory fillings like Caramelized Onion or Beef Empanadas, sweetened for dessert as in Sweet Christmas Bread or a filled basket of Quick Skillet Bread on the table at mealtime. Hearty soups and stews are also favored and go well with bread like Potato-Squash Stew with Beef, Brothy Seafood Soup loaded with fresh mussels, shrimp, calamari and whitefish, Creamy Chickpea Soup and Grilled Steak Soup. Chile is known for its wines so this cookbook would not be complete without a few spirited drinks such as Chilean White Sangria with ripe sliced strawberries, Mulled Red Wine and finally, Earthquake Cocktail.