A.K. Smiley Public Library has a large selection of new books waiting to be checked out. Did you know you can check out up to twenty items at a time for two weeks? Here are some non-fiction books chosen at random for your consideration.
“Lost Loot: Cursed Treasures and Blood Money,” written by author Jim Willis, explores legends, rumors, treasures, mysteries, and curses. The stories pertain mainly to North and South America and include everything from pirates, to shipwrecks, lost mines, royal treasures, robbers, curses, and lost relics.
“Beneath our Feet: Everyday Discoveries Reshaping History,” by Michael Lewis and Ian Richardson, explores archaeological treasures found in Britain by ordinary people. Armed with metal detectors and shovels they find objects, sometimes by accident, that are then researched by archaeologists. Color pictures show many of the objects and locations where they were discovered and the authors piece together these finds into the bigger historical record and age of origin. Their finds range from small tools and adornments to caches of coins, jewelry, figures, and vessels.
A fun and lighter read can be enjoyed by checking out author and screenwriter Arie Kaplan’s “The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions: Ancient and Remarkable Traditions that will Captivate Your Mind.” Find out the origins of some of the things we do or say without really thinking about it. Why do we knock on wood, throw salt over our left shoulder, toss a bridal bouquet, or blow out candles on a birthday cake? These curious and fascinating explanations, some going back to ancient times, might make for some interesting topics of conversation.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, so if you want to enjoy everything our Library has to offer, Smiley Library provides two easy ways to sign up. A free full-use library card may be obtained by coming in to our Circulation Desk with your photo identification and proof of your current address. A free library e-card may be obtained by going to our website at www.akspl.org and filling out the application that will give you access to e-books and our e-databases.
~ Nancy McGee, exceptional library specialist and book-reviewer of all things adventurous! ♥