Happy Trails to You

"Fasten your seat belt; it's going to be a bumpy night."

Margo Channing (Bette Davis) "All About Eve"

I don't like to fly.

Why not, you may ask.

It's the total loss of control; it's the announcement of a cruising altitude of (gulp) 30,000 feet; turbulence; tiny bathrooms; ice that always tastes stale; the kid who kicks the back of my seat; it's the air mask demonstration; and again, turbulence.

It's the dreaded middle seat.

Yes, I know that statistically I am in more danger in a car. (However, I read that if we flew as often as we drive, the stats would certainly be different. These are things I try to NOT think about while driving to the airport)

And, grudgingly, I admit I enjoy arriving in Florida or New York a few hours after leaving my driveway. It is a thrill to see a familiar, much-loved face smiling at me, waiting for me.

But during the flight, I usually bury myself in a book and don't look up until the plane touches down. I look for suspense authors who will keep my mind occupied during the flight. It is no surprise that these authors always seem to be front and center at any airport bookstore. I take that as a sign that I am not alone with my white knuckles, fluttering heart and bouts of boredom.

These authors are good travel companions:

Harlan Coben - I haven't read any of his Myron Bolitar series, preferring to read thrilling novels such as Tell No One or No Second Chance.

Tess Gerritsen - Her books are suspenseful and at times, creepy. Try Bloodstream, Life Support or the Rizzoli & Isles series.

Nelson DeMille - A prolific writer, it is difficult to choose a few of his many titles. If DeMille is new to you, I recommend Charm School, which transports readers back to the Cold War, complete with a KGB conspiracy; and Word of Honor, an examination of the subsequent lives of men accused of committing an atrocity in Vietnam.

Michael Crichton - The king of the suspense novel. The late author's influence is still felt in books and on television. On flights, bring along Congo, Andromeda Strain or Sphere.

Stephen King - Okay, maybe you don't want to add to the tension while flying, but the longtime author of thrillers promises keeping your mind occupied with his classics - Carrie, Green Mile or Misery.

Buckle up!

Independents' Day

in.de.pend.ent. adj. Free from influence, guidance or control of others; self-reliant.


Movies may come to mind when you hear John Sayles' name. But books? Back in the 1970s, the future independent film director was writing short stories and novels. Check out his collection of short stories, "Anarchists' Convention." Not surprisingly, his films, including "Secret of Roan Inish", "Eight Men Out" and "Matewan" are all character-driven stories. Not a car chase or a green screen special effect to be seen.


An idea for a book had been kicking around in Sayles' mind and when a strike hit the entertainment industry a few years ago, he took that time off to return to writing and completed "A Moment in the Sun." A massive 968 pages, the book is a sweeping look at the world in the late 1800s. Fictional characters mingle with actual historic figures such as Mark Twain and Joseph Pulitzer.

Sayles discovered that selling a highly independent (and long) book had the same troubles as selling a highly independent film. Does the book industry believe that Americans, in general, no longer have the patience or attention span for a long and serious book? Enter McSweeney's publishing house which was founded by Dave Eggers, an author himself. At last, the book saw the light of day and was published this past summer.

When it was time for Sayles to tour for "A Moment in the Sun" he chose independent book stores from coast-to-coast. He and his partner, Maggie, set off to drive across America in a rented Prius and shared their adventures in a blog:


http://johnsaylesbaryo.blogspot.com


Visiting an independent bookstore is a good way to get to know a city. Make some time to kick back in a leather chair, have a cup of coffee or glass of wine, and thumb through a few books at any of these fine establishments. Buy a book, too!


*Tattered Cover - Denver (three locations). The 16th Street at Wynkoop location has wooden floors, scarred leather furniture and almost endless rooms. In other words, a perfect bookstore.

*Strand - New York City. The ad said 18 miles of books. I thought it was hyperbole until I stepped inside. Now I think they may have underestimated the mileage!

*City Lights - San Francisco. It felt like walking into a shrine. And the shop is a shrine of sorts, dedicated to books and ideas. (above photo - City Lights)

*Prairie Lights - Iowa City, IA. The shining star of Iowa City, which is also a UNESCO City of Literature. IC is the home to the famed University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. (Trivia question: can you name any of the other UNESCO Cities of Literature? See answer below)

*Powell's - Portland, OR. A really good travel agent will suggest trying a bottle of wine from one of Oregon's excellent wineries (I suggest Chehalem), and a walk through Powell's.


While roaming around bookstores, look for these books by John Sayles:


A Moment in the Sun
Anarchists' Convention (short stories)
Union Dues
Pride of the Bimbos
Thinking in Pictures
Los Gusanos
Dillinger in Hollywood (short stories)


The reading community of Nashville has a new patron saint. Author Ann Patchett (State of Wonder, Bel Canto) was so upset that her city would be left without an indy bookstore that she is now the co-owner of Parnassus, which opened in November 2011. Thank you, Ann!!





>>UNESCO's Cities of Literature: Dublin, Ireland; Edinburgh, Scotland; Melbourne, Australia; Reykjavik, Iceland and Iowa City, USA<<

Let's Go to the Library

"One civilized reader is worth a thousand boneheads"

--The Smart Set

Do we need libraries?

Statistics indicate that, yes, we do. Americans are still flocking to their libraries. Library use is up, especially during this economic downturn. In 2008, a Harris poll reported that 68% of Americans had a library card. In 2009-10, nearly one-third of Americans, aged 14 or older, had used a public library computer or wireless network in the past year, according to the American Library Association. Circulation has continued to increase for the past 10 years.

Who is most likely to visit a library? A Harris poll found these rankings: working moms 88%; working women 78%; postgraduates 77%; and Midwesterners 73%.

More good news was that 31% of adults ranked the library at the top of their list of tax-supported services, according to a Harris poll.

The bad news is that across the country, funding is being slashed, hours cut and lay offs are looming for many librarians. In contrast, a study by the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government provided "bottom-line evidence that the return on investment in library service more than justifies the cost," said the American Library Association's State of American Libraries 2011 report.

Why should we care?

Libraries are a great equalizer in our society. Your household may not be able to afford a copy of the Oxford-English Dictionary, but one is likely waiting at the library. Libraries have moved from the era of musty air and cranky staff shushing everyone. On any given day, you will find a middle-aged man job hunting on a computer, a toddler clutching a much-loved board book or a teen looking for the newest paperback thriller. That is how it should be in a library. Age, race, gender and income don't matter.

A library can, and should be, the hub of a community through programs, meeting room use, and outreach programs.

Creativity and enlightenment are fostered by providing written and visual material. Books, artwork, exhibits, and programs for all ages move a community forward.

Still not convinced?

Estes Valley Library in Colorado offers a House Call program for patrons who are "unable to visit the library due to age, a permanent physical condition or lack of transportation." Library material, including audio books and magazines, are delivered and picked up every two to four weeks.

A library building can be a living piece of art. Touring Boston, Massachusetts would hardly be complete without a tour of the central public library on Boylston Street. Each day, a guided tour of the library's sculptures and paintings is offered. Be prepared for the lavish and stunning architecture of Philip Johnson and Charles Follen McKim.

In Warrensburg, Missouri, librarians are probably familiar with weary parents waiting for their teens to complete a drivers' ed course, held each summer. For a parent driving 45 minutes from Kansas City to drop off a teen at the driving school, only to sit and wait for more than three hours, the library is a gift. One mom said the librarians have the attitude of "make yourself at home." Non-residents can use computers and even check out books. And it probably wasn't the first time that a visiting parent was welcomed by name after just two visits.

Don't wait for National Library Week - stop into your library today and look around. Browse the new books and magazines, look for that blockbuster on DVD, put a book on hold or get the correct answer to that pesky trivia question. And maybe, after a visit or two, the librarian will greet you by name.

Library services and accompanying books

Story Time - offers books for preschoolers, and advice for parents. Try these books: "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin; "Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats; "Three Billy Goats Gruff" by Paul Galdone. Parents can check out "1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up" by Julia Eccleshare (J) 011.62.

Resume and job interview skills - "Gallery of Best Cover Letters" by David Noble, 650.142.

Genealogy studies - "Your Family History in Photographs" by Maureen A. Taylor, 779.2.

Computer classes - "Microsoft Windows Networking Essentials" by Darril Gibson, 005.8

Anime club for teens - "Dramacon" by Svetlana Chmakova, YA Fic.

Guest speakers - Watch for programs with authors, artists, historians, gardeners and chefs at your library!

How Do We Raise A Nation Of Readers?

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is best of all"

-Jacqueline Kennedy-

The first time I read to a group of two-year-olds, I was scared. Scared really doesn't quite describe it. How about shaking? Terrified and shaking scared.

They sat with their parents on the floor of the library waiting for the opening words of "Very Hungry Caterpillar." Still quaking after a second book, I led them in a rousing chorus of "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and sent them all on their way.

It wasn't long before these Twos became my favorite people.

Their parents were young and insecure, seated in front of an almost as young and insecure assistant children's librarian. We learned together the importance of reading to the very young. We discovered which books work best in groups and which books are better for a quiet cuddle time.

I am still amazed at how many of my Twos would sit quietly during Story Time. Eyes would be fixated, enraptured with books about five little monkeys or bleating sheep.

Was this just fun and games or something much more important?

According to PBS/Parents, reading to a toddler (ages 18-36 months) is a powerful preparation for reading. At this age, hearing a story repeated over and over teaches how a story is built, which will help with reading and writing skills at a later age Language development is promoted by stopping often throughout a book and labeling objects on each page.

Yes, it is okay and even encouraged, to stop and talk about the story during the story!

Learning to read can happen just about anywhere.

Make a car ride educational. The U.S. Department of Education suggests pointing out letters and familiar words in traffic signs and billboards, even to the youngest pre-readers. Play a game of finding specific letters on a cereal box. Grocery stores are perfect for sounding out new words.

Educational trends "show an increase in the proportion of children ages 3-5 who were read to by a family member every day in the last week, from 54% in 1999 to 58% in 2001," according to the National Institutes of Health. The report added that "young children who are read to are also more likely to read well by the time they are school age and to score higher academically than are young children who are not read to."

Reading together doesn't have to be at bedtime but should be a part of the daily routine. Find a comfy chair, practice your best baa-baa, and have fun reading to your own enraptured audience.

Suggested Books For Toddlers

Carle, Eric - Very Hungry Caterpillar. Carle is one of my favorite children's authors. He succeeds with both outstanding artwork and simple stories that help teach everything from colors to days of the week. Any book by Carle is recommended!

Ehlert, Lois - Color Zoo. Described as making children's eyes "tingle" (Amazon) , Ehlert's books teach colors and shapes (to name just two skills) while cleverly cut out pages yield many surprises. Ehlert is another author who hits a home run with each book.

Wood, Audrey - Napping House. Who doesn't like a book that yells at the end? Even the youngest listener can guess what will happen when the flea joins the napping family. The story's repetition won't bore the reader and will delight the audience.

Oxenbury, Helen - We're Going On A Bear Hunt. Wonderfully enthusiastic, this book is fun to read aloud (and act out!). Also, has repetitive sentences sure to be a hit with listeners.

Various - Itsy Bitsy Spider. The determined little spider still hasn't given up. Talking in singsong to children is also believed to be beneficial to language development according to a report on NPR in 2005.