A.K. Smiley Public Library Blog

Serving the City of Redlands, California since 1894

Come on over ---- to the 19th Annual Family Day at the Library!
Saturday, October 8th, 9am to 1pm -- No admittance charge

Geared toward grades K-5, but includes activities for the whole family -- touring the Lincoln Shrine, and jazz, strings, and vocal performances. Meet renowned illustrator Rafael Lopez. Children in grades K-5 will receive a new book, and those under 18 will be served a free lunch from 10:30am to 12pm (while supplies last).

Intriguing new biographies, memoirs will keep you turning the page

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A.K. Smiley Public Library is open and the New Book Section is well-stocked and waiting for you. There are several memoirs and biographies about both famous and unknown individuals. Here are a few narratives that are fascinating, entertaining, and informative.

“Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood,” by Cheryl Diamond is a real page-turner. Raised in a fugitive family of five, the only constant in her life was frequently changing locations and identities. Cheryl lived in multiple countries with six assumed identities by the age of nine. This book is a real thrill ride with chapters headed with her age and where she was living at the time, as far back as age four. Fans of suspense novels, Tara Westover’s “Educated,” Jeannette Walls’ “The Glass Castle,” or Tyler Wetherall’s “No Way Home” will enjoy dipping into this memoir.

“Becoming Duchess Goldblatt: A Memoir” written anonymously, is a dual memoir, of sorts, and a bit quirky. Duchess Goldblatt, age 81, is a fictional character that exists only on Twitter and in the author’s clever mind. The unknown writer who created the duchess did so in the midst of some very difficult times in her own life. It has been a positive thing for both herself and for many of her faithful Twitter followers who have been uplifted by her witty, compassionate, and off-the-wall tweets. There is a mutual admiration between Lyle Lovett (who knows the identity of the creator), the duchess, and the author. A fun and inspiring read that will leave you wanting more and lead you to a Twitter search for the lovable lady and her community of followers.

“Miracle Country: A Memoir,” by Kendra Atleework is inspiring and informative. Readers familiar with the Owens Valley area of California will find this even more interesting with Kendra’s intertwining of her personal history, growing up in the tiny remote community of Swall Meadows, and the environmental history of the region. Her descriptive writing encompasses her family, indigenous people, settlers, water rights, extreme weather, fires, observations, loss, and love.