Literary Birthdays

Literary Birthdays

Librarian

September 1 – Tarzan of the Apes  creator Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950) was born in Chicago. Before becoming a novelist, he was as correspondent for the Los Angeles Times.

September 15 – American novelist, historian and social critic, James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) was born in Burlington, New Jersey. Best known for  The Last of the Mohicans.

September 15 – British mystery author Agatha Christie (1890-1976) was born in Torquay, England. She wrote nearly a hundred books including mysteries, dramas, poetry and nonfiction.

September 19 – British author William Golding (1911-1993) was born in Cornwall, England. Best known for Lord of the Flies, he received a Nobel Prize in 1983.

September 24 – American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was born in St. Paul, Minnesota (as Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald). Best known for This Side of Paradise, The Great Gatsby, and Tender is the Night.

September 25 – American writer William Faulkner (1897-1962) was born in New Albany, Mississippi. Best known for The Sound and the Fury and The Reivers.

September 26 – Writer T. S. (Thomas Stearns) Eliot (1888-1937) was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He rejected conventional verse and language in favor of free expression.

September 30 – American writer Truman Capote (1924-1984) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana (as Truman Streckfus Persons). He took the last name of his stepfather, becoming Truman Capote. Best known for Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood.

Book Reviews

Novel Notes

Librarian

“The Hawaiian Quilt” by Wanda Brunstetter

Book Review by Molly Edwards for Readers’ Favorite

This beautiful collaboration, The Hawaiian Quilt, between Wanda and Jean Brunstetter was amazing! I’m a lover of all things Amish. I’m also a lover of all things Wanda Brunstetter when it comes to Amish fiction novels. I will say, however, that while I love all things Brunstetter, I go into each of her books with an open mind so that if something isn’t up to par on her works, I won’t be let down. I do that with most any author. But, once again, this book hit it out of the park for me. I loved every second of this inspirational romance and the meaning of the quilt. As a granddaughter of a quilter, it was such fun to “see” the quilt come together!

I don’t want to spoil this story for anyone so I won’t go into a lot of detail with the plot, other than to say it’s superbly written and highly addictive! But, I will tell you that each and every character within these pages will steal your heart instantly and have you wishing you were right there in Hawaii with them! Mandy and her quirky friends are off on an adventure and land in Hawaii. Each turn of the page is filled with a message that sinks into your heart. It was definitely an interesting experience watching Mandy come to terms with her past and her future. If you are looking for a 5-star, well thought out read, then look no further than this beautifully captivating novel. Another two thumbs up to the queen of Amish fiction in my book! Well done!

Events

Nebraska Book Festival – August 25, 2018

Librarian

Nebraska books and writers will be featured and celebrated at the Nebraska Book Festival on August 25, 2018 at the University of Nebraska City Campus Union from 9:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. It will feature author appearances, book signings, exhibitors, booksellers, poetry readings, and hands-on family activities. Authors include Janice Harrington, Stew Magnuson, Brandon Vogel, Melissa Fraterrigo, Jeff Kurrus and Michael Forsberg, along with Nebraska poets from the 2018 One Book One Nebraska selection Nebraska Presence: An Anthology of Poetry. The Nebraska Writers Guild will feature readings, discussions, and workshops for writers. Concierge Marketing will host Maker activities to celebrate books, including family activities to encourage book lovers of all ages to craft, draw, imagine, and create.

The Festival is sponsored by University of Nebraska Press, Nebraska Library Commission, Nebraska Center for the Book, Lincoln City Libraries, Humanities Nebraska, Union Bank and Trust, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism & Mass Communications, Friends of University of Nebraska Press, Nebraska Writers Guild, and Concierge Marketing and Publishing Services.

More information about the Festival is available at http://bookfestival.nebraska.gov/2018/index.aspx

News

More than just Books!

Librarian

With school starting up again don’t forget that the library is more than just a place to checkout a book or movie. The library is a great place to study, do your homework or get homework help. It’s also a great place to hang out with your friends, to learn something new, play a game, or create something amazing. The library has computers, Chromebooks, and Wi-Fi available for the public to use.

Events

Come Relax with Us

Librarian

We invite all patrons, young and old, to come to the library on August 17th, 2018 and join us in celebrating National Relaxation Day.

You will find information and activities on stress reduction, how to make a relaxation schedule, aromatherapy, mindfulness and meditation.

Why is relaxing and stress reduction important?

It betters your mood, helps improve sleep and keeps you healthy.

Events

Storyteller coming to Ponca State Park

Librarian

Storyteller, Jerome Kills Small, will speak at 4:00 pm in the Oxbow Library room at Ponca State Park on Saturday, July 7. This event, sponsored by Ponca State Park and Friends of the Ponca Carnegie Library, is free and open to the public. A potluck meal will be provided after the storytelling.

Featured in the book, Wounded Warriors: A Time for Healing, Kills Small has contributed to other publications such as the Silver Anniversary Anthology published by the South Dakota Humanities Council. Mr. Kills Small has parts in the videos, Sucker Punched, Nagi Kicopi (Calling Back the Spirit,) Lost Landscapes, and Bones of Contention: Repatriation and Reburial (BBC).

Jerome Kills Small is a storyteller for public schools, museums, and colleges. He translates, explains, and sings Lakota ceremonial, sweat lodge, powwow, rabbit, round dance, warrior, vision quest, and Sundance songs. He sings with the Iron Wing Singers of Wagner, SD. He is a powwow organizer, announcer, arena director, and helps in conducting Lakota ceremonies. He has portrayed Tecumseh, a Shawnee Chief and British General, as well as Dr. Charles Alexander Eastman, the first Dakota Medical Doctor. Mr. Kills Small is on the board of Directors for the Native American Advocacy Program.

Turtle Island Storyteller Jerome Kills Small

Events

Community Book Read

Librarian

Friends of the Ponca Carnegie Library invite the community to join in reading:

The Girls of Atomic City:

The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II.

At the height of World War II, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was home to 75,000 residents and was using as much power as New York City … but to most of the world, it was as if the town didn’t exist. Thousands of workers (many of them young women from small towns across the South) were recruited to work in this secret city, enticed by good wages and the promise of war-ending work. But most of them never guessed what was really being made in those enormous factories in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains – until the end of the war, when Oak Ridge’s secret was revealed. In The Girls of Atomic City, Denise Kiernan traces the astonishing story of these unsung World War II workers through interviews with dozens of surviving women workers and other Oak Ridge residents. Like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, this is history and science made fresh and vibrant –  a beautifully told, deeply researched story that unfolds in a suspenseful and exciting way.

Click the link below to get an in-depth view of this extraordinary time in our history:

http://www.girlsofatomiccity.com/