Friday, September 30, 2011

It Is Bucks Buy Books Time

The Bucks Buy Books campaign began in 2004 due to budget cuts.  The library's financial status has not improved, but due to the generosity of so many, your contributions have kept more books on the Hibbing Public Library shelves.  Titles by favorite authors of both adults and children have been bought with these funds.

Donating is easy thanks to Hibbing Public Utilities.  Your October billing will include a pre-addressed envelope to the library.  Please mail your contribution in the envelope or drop it off at the front desk at the library during your next visit.  Checks can be made payable to the Hibbing Public Library Book Fund.

With your financial support, many more books will be kept in the hands of area readers and the library's mission will be upheld.  The Library Board and staff appreciate your support and encourage your participation in this campaign.  You will be making our library one of the best investments in Hibbing.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Squidoo

Check out the Squidoo website: "Squidoo makes it easy to build your personal interest graph of the things you know and love. On Squidoo, you can write a page. A single webpage, focused on a single topic.
Then you can build another page. And another one. And another. Each page on a different interest. Tell a story, recommend a product you love, share an experience you had, teach someone something, pay tribute to a person you admire (an author, band, your mom... ) and so much more."

We call these pages lenses because they snap your point of view into focus. Explore the sidebar of listed topics. It's simple to write a lens. And of course, it's free. Even if you build 100 of them! (from Squidoo website)

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Family Hitchcock by Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett

“The annual family vacation. Every year since he could remember, his father and mother had taken them on some sort of summer trip. When the kids were little, the vacations had been fun – at least, that’s how Maddy and Benji remembered them. Hawaii. The Grand Canyon. When Benji was six, they had spent a week in New York seeing shows.”

“But over the past few years a once - fine family tradition had gone sour. In Disneyland, their mother had made them wear so much sunscreen both children had come back whiter than when they had left. In Alaska, their father took one too many pictures of a grizzly, goading the giant bear into charging their minivan.”

You get the picture.

Benji and his sister, Maddy, dread the idea of this year’s family trip. Read about this year’s Hitchcock family vacation found in the j Fiction section of the children’s room at Hibbing Public Library.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

“The circus arrives without warning.”

“No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.”

Visit the circus, Le Cirque des Reves, where it opens at nightfall, closes at dawn and the illusions are real.

Found in Hibbing Public Library in the new fiction section under Morgenstern.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent (c2011) is the first book in a new series by a new author, Veronica Roth.  She is only 22 years old! http://www.thedivergenttrilogy.com/  Her novel is the story of Beatrice, a 16 year old in a Chicago of the future.  She is at the age when each student must choose which of five factions (Candor, Abnegation, Dautnless, Amity and Erudite) to join and start her adult life.  Her choice may separate her from her family forever.  The initiation could cost her her life.  She and her brother choose different factions and she renames herself Tris.  What neither they nor the other initiates realize is that the future of their perfect society is at stake.  The choices this group of teenagers makes will affect everyone.

Divergent reminds me of The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games. If you haven't read those, you are missing some of the best "dystopian" or post apocalyptic fiction of the decade!  The film version of The Hunger Games is scheduled to be released on March 23, 2012.[1]  And it looks a company has purchased the movie rights for Divergent as well!
Novels like these, what I call Social Science Fiction, are why I continue to choose Young Adult books over any other genre for my recreational reading. ~Ginny

Flip by Martyn Bedford

Flip (c2011) is the story of 14 year old Alex who goes to sleep on a winter night and wakes up six months later in someone else's bed, in someone else's room, in someone else's family, in another part of the country.  In fact, he is in someone else's body!  Philip is athletic but not so smart; quite different from Alex on the outside but now with Alex's mind inside. 
Why is Alex in Flip's body?  
Where has Flip's mind/soul gone?  

Which boys' skills and talents will come through?  
Is there anyway for Alex to get out?  To go home?

Hibbing teens will find some familiar things here: cell phones and Google searches.  But the story is set in England so school will seem a bit different.  A fun read that blends everyday teen struggles with a science fiction twist (or flip!)  
This is Martyn Bedford's first Young Adult/teen novel.  He also writes novels for adults (http://martynbedford.com)
See the author's favorite YA novels on the same or a similar theme:

Monday, September 19, 2011

Vacancy on Library Board Needs to be Filled

The library is seeking a dedicated reader to fill a board vacancy for the remainder of a term through March 2012.  The purpose of the library board is to see that adequate funds are obtained for good library service; to promote the best possible use of all library resources in the area, to improve the library, and extend library service to those not previously serviced.  Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.

 Applications are due by Wednesday, September 28, 2011 and are available in the City Hall Council Office: 3rd Floor City Hall at 401 East 21st Street, Hibbing or on-line on the City Website Boards and Commissions page.  If your application is already on file in the Council Office, please call the Administrative\Council Assistant at 362-5990 to inform her of your interest to again be considered for an appointment.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Pirate King by Laurie R. King

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes take on the cast of Pirates of Penzance in this thrilling tale of “a story within a story” while working on a film crew in Lisbon and Morocco with real pirates.

Mary Russell, undercover as the producer’s assistant, is sent by Chief Inspector Lestrade to investigate the British moving picture industry where the Flytte Film Company is experiencing some rather odd problems. 11th in the series, real pirates on a real pirate ship, the Harlequin, gives realism a new name in the latest Mary Russell – Sherlock Holmes mystery.

Holmes remarks: “I’ve spent much of my life being thought of as a fiction. One grows accustomed to it.” Always thrilling, with humorous commentary, Pirate King, makes for fun and entertaining reading.
Website: http://www.laurierking.com/

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Thank You To Our Many Visitors

Every year many people travel to Hibbing to visit the community where Bob Dylan grew up.  The library would like to thank all these visitors for stopping in, spending time, and signing our guest book.  Some of you are artists, some poets, and all of you are very appreciative fans.  We would like to share with everyone some of the art and comments from our guest book.


"Great tribute!  Finally visiting the hometown of my favorite musical genius and poet!  Definitely will be visiting again"  (Chicago, ILL)

"He moves my soul..."  (Cathedral City, CA)

"Grew up 2 blocks west of Zimmerman home.  Thanks Bob for the music!"




"In 1983 my brother wrote a paper on Dylan in college and introduced me to his music.  He has become my passion..."  (Noark, Conn.)

"We enjoyed the exhibit and Hibbing!  What an amazing musician."

"How does it feel?  It feels great to be in Hibbing - Bob Dylan's hometown!!  Love ya, Bob."  (Amarillo, Texas) 
"Took one lifetime (so far) to get here, but here I am.  Thanks, Brother Bob, for your journey and mine.  Love and respect."  (Albert, Canada)


"Long trip from England, but well worth it.  Many Happy Returns Bob!!!"


"Just passing.  Saw the light on."  (Australia)

"...Bob Dylan has provided a soundtrack for my life"  (Fargo, ND)

There were many more great comments and we invite everyone to stop by, see the exhibit, and add their own mark in our book.



Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Midwest Living Magazine

Look at the latest issue of Midwest Living for September/October and bake one of the many recipes using apples. Apple Scones with spiced maple butter looks particularly tasty. http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/fruit/apple-scones-with-spiced-maple-butter/

Check out the travel destinations in the upper Midwest or more specifically Minnesota for a weekend getaway. Articles on the North Shore, Root River Valley, Twin Cities, and Northern Minnesota abound. http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/destination/minnesota/

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Work Green

Are you interested in exploring green careers?  ISEEK offers a dedicated website for them. ISEEK.org is Minnesota's career, education and job resource on line, and their latest industry portal, MnGreenCareers.org, details the newest research on green careers, education,and jobs in Minnesota.


You will find definitions, information on typical green careers, green training and education at Minnesota schools and where a green career can lead, as well as job search and green business research resources. The site includes quizzes, career videos and Minnesota-specific resources, appropriate for the student, job seeker, career explorer, educator, and entrepreneur.

Go to the ISEEK main site to explore all careers, plan your education, and for detailed help on tracking down a job.


Monday, September 12, 2011

Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger

Cork O'Connor brings his family back for a vacation on a houseboat on Lake of the Woods, in Northern Minnesota. While spending a beautiful summer day on the lake, various members of the family go off in different directions to explore the lake when a sudden storm with straight line winds hits. To find out what happens next, pick up Krueger's latest book in his series.
First Line: "Later, when it no longer mattered, they learned that the horror that had come from the sky had a name: derecho."
William Kent Krueger has a website and he writes about the inspiration for his latest book, Northwest Angle: http://www.williamkentkrueger.com/

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Flash and Bones by Kathy Reichs

Temperance Brennan, forensic anthropologist, assigned to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Mecklenburg County, investigates a murder in Charlotte, North Carolina in this 14th book in the series. During NASCAR, a body is found in a barrel next to the Charlotte Motor Speedway. While trying to solve a murder, Brennan is also doing some investigating into why the fiancé of Brennan’s ex-husband, Pete, seems to be unhappy with her upcoming wedding plans.

The book starts:
“Looking back, I think of it as race week in the rain. Thunderboomers almost every day. Sure, it was spring. But these storms were over the top.
In the end, Summer saved my life.
I know, Sounds bizarre.
This is what happened.”

Kathy Reichs has a website: http://kathyreichs.com/

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

We Remember 9/11


On September 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked. The hijackers then deliberately flew three of the planes into two important buildings, the Pentagon in Washington DC and the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York. The fourth crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The loss of life and damage that these hijackings caused form the biggest act of terrorism ever on United States soil. Nearly 3000 people died in the attacks and the economic impact was immense.

Remember or learn about the history of September 11, 2001 by checking out the window and book display at the library. Books include both eyewitness accounts and stories of individuals that lost family members during and after the attack.  See the tragedy through the eyes of the children in The Day Our World Changed: Children's Art of 9/11 with an introduction by Rudolph W. Giuliani .



Commemorative events will be taking place across the country.  In Hibbing, The Community College Library will be presenting the art of Judith Shea.  Her exhibit, “The Legacy Collection:  The 10th Anniversary of 9-11” will open to the public with a reception on Sunday, September 11, 2011 from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

The Casserole Queens Cookbook by Crystal Cook and Sandy Pollock

Crystal Cook and Sandy Pollock are the Casserole Queens, a food delivery service in Austin, Texas.

Crystal and Sandy: "We're embracing 50s kitsch and resurrecting the classic American casserole. We deliver fresh-from-scratch meals straight to your door in heels, aprons, and the timeless tradition of mom’s best recipes. No trips to the store and no mess—just put it in the oven and get ready for a delicious meal."
You, too, can cook like the casserole queens with their new cookbook available at Hibbing Public Library in the new book section under: 641.821 COOK

Friday, September 02, 2011

The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler



The Hyptonist is an unputdownable Swedish crime thriller.  A 15-year old boy barely survives the vicious slaughter of his entire family.  Enter police investigator Joona Linna and therapist/hypnotist Erick Bark to solve the case.  If you liked the Stieg-Larsson trilogy you'll like this one.