Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 126

Memorable Memoirs

A popular publishing trend these days is the memoir — a book that gives us a peek into someone’s life.  While a biography generally covers the entire span of its subject’s life, a memoir covers a “slice of life” and is written by the person who experienced it.  It’s often an intense period in their life — early motherhood, illness, the death of a loved one.  There’s been some criticism that too many undeserving memoirs are being published, but for those of us who like to read them we now have plenty to choose from!  Here are a few to try:

by Brian Castner tells of his three tours of duty in Iraq as a bomb disposal expert.  When he returned home to his wife and family, he began a struggle with a no less insidious foe, an unshakable feeling of fear and confusion and survivor’s guilt that he terms “The Crazy.”  His thrilling, heartbreaking, stunningly honest book will hook you from the first chapter.

Magical Journey: An Apprenticeship in Contentment by Katrina Kenison offers observations on life, making changes, and embarking on spiritual journeys as she experiences and accepts a new reality of living alone after her children have grown and moved out.

The Great Northern Express:  A Writer’s Journey Home by Howard Frank Mosher documents the author’s road trip across twenty-first-century America, where he shared personal encounters with homeless people, country performers, and readers and writers from all walks of life.

The Still Point of the Turning World by Emily Rapp is a wrenching account about her son Ronan, who was diagnosed at nine months old with Tay-Sachs disease, a rare and always-fatal degenerative disorder. Ronan was not expected to live beyond the age of three. He would be permanently stalled at a developmental level of six months. Rapp and her husband were forced to re-evaluate everything they thought they knew about parenting.

         

KDL Top Ten – 4/19/2013

This Top Ten list is just in time for Earth Day!  To view ten of the most popular environmental titles at KDL, click on the link to the KDL Top Ten List!

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales Retold for Teens

Are you in the mood for a happily ever after sort of story?  Browse our Fairy Tales Retold for Teens  booklist to find your next happily ever after ending.

   

Kindle eBooks Available on Mobile Devices

Good news for Kindle App users — OverDrive’s latest update to our eBook site has made KDL’s collection of free Kindle eBooks available to download directly from mobile devices! Previously, if you wanted to checkout an eBook in Kindle format, you would have to use a “regular” computer to complete the checkout, then direct Amazon to send the Kindle book to your mobile app. Now, the entire process, from browsing to checkout to delivery to your app, can be completed entirely on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or Android device.

For complete instructions on downloading Kindle eBooks, see our step-by-step guide. Questions? Fill out our help form or give us a call at 616-784-2007.

Happy Downloading!

 

 

 

Local Indie @ KDL Book Review

Science fiction isn’t really my genre of choice, but I read an awful lot of short story collections and I’m all for supporting West Michigan-area writers. So when I heard about Allen Whitlock’s collection of sci-fi stories titled If I Should Die Before It Wakes, it went directly on my “to-read” list.

This self-published collection of six extremely inventive stories had me repeatedly saying “The imagination on this guy!” Whitlock’s protagonists take the form of a robotic assisted-living caregiver, a marine biologist who discovers how cooperatively one ocean species lives, a vampire with a grudge, and others. The endings of all six stories included twists I did not anticipate, and Whitlock is very good at dialogue.

Whitlock will appear at the KDL Book Bash from 9:30–12:00 PM on Saturday, April 27 at the Comstock Park Service Center along with nearly a dozen other local authors. Stop by and say hello, buy a book, have it signed and be able to say “I knew him when.”

Whitlock’s book is part of the Local Indie @ KDL collection, housed at the Cascade Township and Kentwood branches. It was created to give independent authors, filmmakers and musicians the opportunity to be added to our shelves and to be featured by staff in order to increase viewers, readers and listeners.

Click here to browse our Local Indie @ KDL collection.

 

Kentwood Grows Talent! A Showcase of Music and Poetry at the Kentwood Branch has been cancelled

Tonight’s program at the Kentwood Branch of the Kent District Library has been cancelled.

Free Gardening Program at Book Bash

Don’t miss out on all the fun and good deals at Book Bash! Not only will the event include a giant warehouse book and media sale, but also a host of free programs for all ages. Sign up for a Grow Happiness Gardening Project taking place at noon on Saturday, April 27. Come join Cindy Wells from Home Depot as she teaches you how to enhance your gardening skills. Each attendee will be entered to win the potted plant that will be made during class!

Book Bash will take place at the KDL Service Center (814 West River Center Dr. in Comstock Park) on Saturday, April 27 from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sunday, April 28 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.

We hope to see you there!

 

Englehardt Branch Closed Friday-Saturday

Due to the threat of flooding, KDL’s Englehardt branch in Lowell will be CLOSED on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20. During this time, Englehardt’s book drop will not be accessible. Items may be returned to the Alto, Cascade Township or any other KDL branch.

Friday morning’s Rhyme Time Music and Movement program at 10:30 AM is CANCELLED. However, the History of Barbie with Afternoon Tea program on Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 PM will PROCEED as it is to be held at the Lowell Township Hall (2910 Alden Nash SE).

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

Kentwood Grows Talent Program Cancelled

The Kentwood Grows Talent! A Showcase of Music and Poetry program scheduled tonight at the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

Victorian era, Flowers & HAPPINESS

Following a theme of flowers, the Victorian era and Happiness.  Might I suggest a few activities.

Read: Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh and the nonfiction companion A Victorian Flower Dictionary by Mandy Kirby to learn all about the hidden meaning of flowers.

Watch: Cranford or The Young Victoria to get yourself in the Victorian era mindset.

Listen: Try classical music from the following Romantic composers to fully immerse yourself in the Victorian era.  Johannes Brahms, Claude Debussy, or Franz Schubert

Do: Lily of the Valley is for Happiness program and learn the Victorian language of flowers.  Wendy Batchelder from “Lost Arts” will appear in full Victorian costume to talk about the meaning of flowers while you make a simple tussie mussie to give to someone who makes you happy!  Pre-registration is required.  Class size is limited.  For teens and adults.