My Childhood Memory of the Library (14th in a series)

Sometime in the 1960s, my hometown, a small sleepy place nestled in the North Carolina mountains, unexpectedly built a new library in the “George Jetson” style. It looked as if a spaceship had landed on the corner of a street of old Victorian homes, shaded by towering oaks and elms. Many in town were scandalized. But to me, fresh out of kindergarten, it was a sleek, magical cave of wonders. It was air conditioned—very exciting! And more thrilling yet, I had learned to write my name, so was eligible to get My Own Library Card. My Grandpa Bobo, who lived with us, was assigned the task of taking me, along with my best friend Matthew, whose mother worked for us, on trips to the library every week. With that card in my hand I really did feel as though I could go anywhere, do anything. The first book I remember checking out was Harry the Dirty Dog. I’m happy to report that book is still in print and still in the library today. All through that glorious summer, Matthew and I would come home with a stack of picture books each and lie down on the cool flagstone porch and flip through them, making up our own stories to go with the pictures, and looking forward to first grade, when we would learn to READ.

That’s my childhood memory of the library…what’s yours?

My Childhood Memory of the Library (13th in a series)

My first experience with the library was with a bookmobile.  I would get so excited as my “requests” came every time the bookmobile opened it’s doors.  My favorite book at that time was Black Beauty and I even owned my own copy.  I can still remember holding that linen covered book in my hands and feeling the decked edges of the paper.  That’s a long time before the Kindle!

That’s my childhood memory of the library…what’s yours?

My Childhood Memory of the Library (12th in a series)

My younger sister and I were home-schooled, so many of my early school memories are intertwined with the local library.  I can remember dong our schoolwork there, working on the computer, and checking out a huge stack of books and media of things we were interested in.

That’s my childhood memory of the library…what’s yours?

My Childhood Memory of the Library (11th in a series)

I remember the puppets at Storytime.

That’s my childhood memory of the library…what’s yours?

May is Zombie Awareness Month!

Sure, vampires get all the attention, with their elegance and charm, and that great skin (no sun damage there). Zombies tend to amble about, sloppily dressed, looking for something to eat. Zombies, they’re just like us!

So in honor of ZAM, we invite you to feed your brain with some of the library’s Zombie themed books.

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
Allison Hewitt is Trapped: A Zombie Novel by Madeleine Roux
Zone One: a Novel by Colson Whitehead
You Might Be A Zombie and Other Bad News: Shocking but Utterly True Facts
The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection From the Living Dead by Max Brooks

Cardio is key in staying one step ahead of the hungry hordes, so be sure to schedule some time to work out with some of our exercise and fitness DVDs:

Billy Blanks Tae Bo. This is Tae Bo
The Firm. Cardio Dance Club
Denise Austin. 3-week Boot Camp
Bob Harper. Ultimate Cardio Body

Also, please check out this CDC blog to be prepared for a potential Zombie Apocalypse – or any other emergency.

My Childhood Memory of the Library (10th in a series)

Growing up, my favorite day was “library day.” My Mother would take my brother and me to the library and we could choose as many books as we wanted. Of course, we differed on what number was “within reason.” I loved to sit on the floor and read a little bit from each book to whittle down my selections. There was a certain library book scent that I remember which still gives me flutters in my tummy. I religiously read all the Bobbsey Twins, Cherry Ames, and of course Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I also really enjoyed reading about girl pioneers growing up in the Wild West. My favorite book was always The Wizard of Oz.

That’s my childhood memory of the library…what’s yours?

My Childhood Memory of the Library (9th in a series)

I was taking skiing lessons after school during junior high and really enjoyed it.  When I went to the library, I would look for any and all books about skiing.  I don’t have a specific title, but I went through book after book, mostly fiction adventure books.  I couldn’t get enough of them and they helped fill the time in between lessons.

That’s my childhood memory of the library…what’s yours?

In honor of Mystery Month at Booklist, I would like to write about five of my favorite mystery books.

Guilty Wives by James Patterson

When best friends Abbie, Winnie, Serena, and Bryah embark on a vacation of a lifetime in Monte Carlo, it quickly turns into a nightmare when they are arrested aboard an unfamiliar yacht and accused of an unthinkable crime.

I’ll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark

Alexandra Moreland is a rising star in the architectural world in Manhattan but when she is plagued by identity theft her world is turned upside down. Someone has gained access to her credit cards, bank accounts and other personal information and is impersonating her. Alexandra is arrested for the murder of a woman she doesn’t even know and now must fight for her freedom.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

In this first in a series about cookie-baking sleuth Hannah Swenson, she must protect her reputation when a popular delivery man is found murdered behind her bakery with Hannah’s cookies scattered around him. 

 D.C. Dead by Stuart Woods

While Stone Barrington is evaluating his life in New York as a Woodman & Weld partner after a shocking loss, he is summoned by the President to Washington, D.C. and assigned to a special ops mission that reunites him with his former partner, Holly Barker.

 One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

Janet Evanovich is known for her humor in writing mystery fiction. This book introduces us to Stephanie Plum who becomes a bounty hunter when she is out of work and out of money. Her first assignment is to track down a local vice cop on the fun for murder.

My Childhood Memory of the Library (8th in a series)

My favorite thing about the library when I was a kid was the summer reading program.  I was always so excited when I’d completed the list and picking out a book to keep was a major decision.
 
Favorite book as a kid:  The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.   I reread it constantly.

“That’s my childhood memory of the library…what’s yours?”