Most of us work and save for decades in the hope that when we retire, our needs will be met. Numerous resources offer financial advice to help us plan for our golden years. For many, all that work and planning and fiscal discipline pays off, with an adequate cushion providing a reasonably comfortable life right to the end. For others, things don’t go quite as well.
Recently, I attended a training on identifying and preventing elder abuse. I learned that financial exploitation is one of the most common forms of abuse faced by older adults, sometimes without their knowledge. It can be carried out by family members, “helpful” neighbors, paid caregivers, online and telephone scammers, or even attorneys and accountants who notice a client’s mind isn’t as sharp as it used to be. This was a sobering wake-up for me. Continue reading “Older Adults and Financial Exploitation”
Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2024 by David Litherland
Science fiction has captured reader’s imaginations for as long as we have wondered about the future. From H.G. Wells’ and Jules Verne’s early escapades to the far future via time machine and to the moon by way of a cannon, came a fascination as to what we could do and where we could go with the powers of science. Immerse yourself in the aspirational themes of today’s science fiction, with a corresponding dose of science fact to deepen your understanding and increase your excitement for tomorrow’s world.
What would a human’s life on Mars look like? Can we survive and thrive in its rust-red desert, or can we change the planet to fit us? One of science fiction’s preeminent preoccupations, the settlement, and eventual terraforming, of Mars has been a part of the futurist outlook since Ray Bradbury’s novel on the idea in the 1950s. Kim Stanley Robinson’s “Red Mars” dives deep into the technology and techniques that would be needed to build a sustainable colony on Mars, as well as the political, social and relationship struggles of the first hundred humans to settle on the Red Planet. Continue reading “Literary Links: Science Fiction and Science Fact”
Posted on Friday, July 12, 2024 by patron reviewer
The book “The Wager” is author David Gran’s retelling of the true story behind a naval ship called The Wager. The ship’s crew and their unbelievable tale of survival (for some) made for an engrossing read. The far-reaching implications of the imperialistic attitudes of Europe shadow the contradicting stories the survivors put forth when sharing their perspective of what really happened to them. The human condition speaks loudly through the book’s twist and turns of the crew’s many (often unbelievable) tests of endurance. The story is yet again an excellent example of how real life is often stranger than fiction… and David Grann knows how to get that across perfectly.
Three words that describe this book: Historical, Illuminating, Astonishing
You might want to pick this book up if: You enjoy history and incredible (but true!) tales of maritime adventure.
-Anonymous
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. Submit your own book review here for a chance to have it featured on the Adults Blog.
Posted on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 by Decimal Diver
Here is a new DVD list highlighting various titles recently added to the library’s collection.
“Monkey Man” – Website / Reviews
In this action film, a young man in a gorilla mask endures beatings in an underground club for meager pay. After years of suppressed rage, he tries to settle the score with those who took everything from him.
“The Iron Claw” – Website / Reviews
Based on a true story, this drama tells the tale of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in world of 1980s professional wrestling under the shadow of their domineering father and coach.
“Nowhere Special” – Website / Reviews
In this dramatic film, a terminally ill single father struggles to find the ideal family for his young son. Eventually, a social worker opens him up to solutions he never would have considered.
“The Old Oak” – Website / Reviews
An unexpected friendship between a struggling pub owner and a Syrian refugee opens up new possibilities for a divided village in this moving drama about loss, fear, and the difficulty of finding hope.
Crafternoon for August: Yarn-covered bottles for fall
The library offers a free monthly craft session for adults — we like to call it our Crafternoon program. These sessions are held on evenings, during the day and on weekends to make them available for as many people as possible, and all supplies are provided. This is in addition to other craft events that are held for children, teens and adults. Our craft and activity database, CreativeBug, is available to all library patrons and is available 24/7. There are thousands of craft instructions with new activities added every month, including video tutorials.
We work hard to develop Crafternoons that are not only fun, but help participants learn a new skill skill, develop a finished project that can be used in their home or even given as a gift. Our biggest goal is for people to enjoy these activities and each other.
Crafternoon for July: Put a Bird on It decorative hangings
Some comments received from Crafternoon participants:
“I used the skills I learned from paper quilling to make Valentine cards for my family and friends.”
” I love getting out of the house, doing something fun and meeting new people.”
“was able to bring in personal mementos of my mother and incorporate it into a craft that I can hang on the wall and be reminded of her…”
“fun and relaxing”
“enjoy talking with other individuals that are interested in crafts”
We welcome you to join us! Information on Crafternoons can be found in our events calendar, on our Facebook page and on our website. Registration starts two weeks before each class and these fill quickly, so sign up early. As our registration limit is reached, a waiting list is started so please give us a call if you need to cancel — this allows that spot to be offered to another patron. Hope to see you on July 18 as we “Put a Bird on It.”
In the book “The Paris Apartment,” Jess goes to Paris to visit her brother in an effort to escape her former life and terrible job. When she gets there, her brother is nowhere to be seen. All the other neighbors in his apartment building are hostile and not helpful in looking for her brother. Without seeking help from police, she is asking questions and searching for clues of where Ben may be.
The ending was a bit surprising but who was involved was not all that surprising. It was a good mystery read, similar to the author’s other works.
Three words that describe this book: Determination, Seedy, Mystery
You might want to pick this book up if: you love books by Megan Miranda or enjoyed “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley.
Posted on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 by patron reviewer
“People We Meet on Vacation” follows Poppy and Alex who, despite being complete opposites, have been best friends since college for over a decade. They spend the most time together on their summer vacations where for one week they explore various destinations across the US and world. It’s a friendship tradition for the dynamic duo, or at least it was…
Poppy and Alex have not spoken in two years after one horrible vacation. That is, until Poppy realizes that the missing feeling she might have in her life might be due to the Alex. She convinces him to take one more vacation with one internal goal in mind: to fix the friendship that shattered two years ago.
I love the distinction between Poppy AND Alex. They both were distinct characters with completely different experiences that somehow were able to form a friendship. Although, at times they were PoppyAndAlex, they existed outside of each other, too.
Speaking of that friendship, though, some of the instances between Poppy and Alex are clearly on the borderline of a more-than-friends relationship, which made it difficult, as a reader, to support them in their other relationships. However, once they were outside of those relationships, I was always on the edge of my seat waiting for that slow-burn to spark and the love to burn. I loved the depiction of how feelings and people can change over the years. Continue reading “Reader Review: People We Meet on Vacation”
Below I’m highlighting some nonfiction books coming out in July. All of the mentioned titles are available to put on hold in our catalog and will also be made available via the library’s Overdrive website on the day of publication in eBook and downloadable audiobook format (as available). For a more extensive list of new nonfiction books coming out this month, check our online catalog.
Top Picks
“The Secret History of Sharks: The Rise of the Ocean’s Most Fearsome Predators” by John Long (Jul 2)
Sharks have been fighting for their lives for 500 million years and today are under dire threat. They are the longest-surviving vertebrate on Earth, outlasting multiple mass extinction events that decimated life on the planet. But how did they thrive for so long? By developing superpower-like abilities that allowed them to ascend to the top of the oceanic food chain. John Long, who for decades has been on the cutting edge of shark research, weaves a thrilling story of sharks’ unparalleled reign. “The Secret History of Sharks” showcases the global search to discover sharks’ largely unknown evolution, led by Long and dozens of other extraordinary scientists. They embark on digs to all seven continents, investigating layers of rock and using cutting-edge technology to reveal never-before-found fossils and the clues to sharks’ singular story. As the tale unfolds, Long introduces an enormous range of astonishing organisms: a thirty-foot-long shark with a deadly saw blade of jagged teeth protruding from its lower jaws, a monster giant clams crusher, and bizarre sharks fossilized while in their mating ritual. The book also includes startling new facts about the mighty megalodon, with its 66-foot-long body, massive jaws, and six-inch serrated teeth. Continue reading “Nonfiction Roundup: July 2024”
Patricia Highsmith’s second novel, biographer Joan Schenkar writes, “was so marked by her secret obsessions that writing it felt like a birthing. ‘Oh god,’ [Highsmith] enthused, ‘how this story emerges from my own bones!'”
72 years following its publication, “The Price of Salt” has long been regarded as a groundbreaking novel in lesbian literary history. Every review I read noted its departure from the tropes of the times — how neither woman is ultimately forced into heterosexuality, nor suffers a tragic death (both true, though I hesitate to call the ending a happy one). All that to say, I was excited to read this book, and I’m glad I did. I’ll start with the good… Continue reading “Staff Review: The Price of Salt, or Carol by Patricia Highsmith”
Posted on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 by patron reviewer
“All Systems Red” follows a security android (Murderbot) with newfound autonomy — after hacking its governor module the android indulges in watching soap operas while trying to avoid human interaction. Author Martha Wells does an excellent job blending levity and a more serious theme of human consciousness/freedom and what that could mean for artificial intelligence. Wells’s witty writing and Murderbot’s sardonic inner monologue provide insightful commentary on sentience. The book is a quick, engaging read and is a great first installment in the series.
Three words that describe this book: Engaging, Humorous, Thought-Provoking
You might want to pick this book up if: Fast paced action set in a futuristic world, focusing on what it means for AI to autonomous.
-Anonymous
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. Submit your own book review here for a chance to have it featured on the Adults Blog.
