Between the Covers

Are you like the rest of  Wyoming , and in fact, the rest of the good ol’  USA , who have caught Longmire fever?! For those of you not in the know, it is not a new influenza sweeping the nation. It is Longmire, a contemporary crime thriller, a new television series based on the Walt Longmire Mystery novels of New York Times bestselling author and Wyoming  resident Craig Johnson. And the most exciting news is that you can rub elbows and hear a  Wyoming  author who has gained critical acclaim, speak on the making of the A&E series, Longmire, this Saturday, January 19, from 7 – 9 pm at the Broadway Theater, 618 Broadway, in Rock Springs, Wyoming! Sponsored by the Sweetwater County Library Foundation, this unique event includes chances to win autographed Longmire memorabilia during a live auction and the highest bidder will even win the chance to choose the name of a character in a future Longmire mystery.

If you are unaware of the Longmire phenomenon, let me explain about the 2012 summer hit series that is hailed as the new number one show on cable. Based on Johnson’s eight Walt Longmire Mystery novels (the ninth coming out April 2013), the stories are centered on the sheriff and also narrated by him. Widower Sheriff Longmire (starring Robert Taylor) of Absaroka County ,  Wyoming , is an observant, dedicated man with a “dry wit” and in bad need of a new truck. He has a quirky, gruff exterior yet he is gentle and honest and always insists on solving the case and bringing the culprits to justice. He is personally and professionally rebuilding his life with support from his daughter (Cassidy Freeman), a foul-mouthed, feisty female deputy (Katee Sackhoff), and his best advice dispensing buddy Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Phillips) at the Red Pony. One of Walt’s most admirable qualities is that he is always willing to learn something from the Native American characters in the stories.

Craig Johnson’s novels have it all; you are drawn in to the story immediately through his colorful, well-developed characters and settings in  Wyoming . Johnson’s stories are more than mysteries with surprise resolutions; they are the saga of a modern day Wyoming lawman. I can hear the characters speaking and I feel the wind and snow. When I can do that, I know the author is a great storyteller. Somewhere I read that Johnson’s settings are like one of his well developed characters. It hit the nail on the head; I could not have put it better. He is a strong storyteller with something for everyone. He combines the elements of great characters and settings, thrilling storylines, interesting themes, superb dialogue, good natured humor, and even romance along with a little of the supernatural. To watch clips or full episodes of “Longmire” and a list of Craig Johnson’s awards, please see the A&E website, http://www.aetv.com/longmire/about/andhttp://www.craigallenjohnson.com/.

You are invited to join the festivities Saturday night January 19, from 7 – 9 p.m. and meet Craig Johnson, author of the award-winning and New York Times bestselling Walt Longmire Mystery series, the basis for Longmire, the hit A&E original drama series. “After only four airings of A&E’s new drama series Longmire, the show has been renewed for a second season. The series premiered with 4.1 million viewers to become the A&E’s most-watched scripted series debut of all time and the highest-rated new cable scripted drama of 2012 among total viewers and adults 25-54.” He lives in  Ucross ,  Wyoming  – population twenty-five! Where is that you ask? Join us and find out! There will be delicious hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar Saturday night; one free drink is included with your ticket. Pick up your ticket in advance at any of the main libraries for only $25 or $30 at the door. Tickets are getting limited, so hurry!

Whether you are entertaining family and friends for the holidays or you need something different to take to the office party, Cynthia Nim’s book of tasty treats has something for everyone. If you are looking for diabetes-friendly or other diet conscious snacks and munchies, this book covers it. The author recommends using heart-healthy sea salt, which is also suggested by doctors as a tasty alternative, in most of the recipes. So get a jump start on that New Year’s resolution and don’t be afraid to devour kale chips with lemon and ginger or indulge your coworkers with pita chips that feature artichoke-roasted garlic spread.

The year is 1898 and a brooding romance between socialite Emma Harlow and affluent Montgomery Gilmore is on its way to an extraordinary place, but only if she accepts his challenge- to recreate the extraterrestrial invasion in The War of the Worlds. When these fantastic worlds magically start to collide, Mr. Gilmore suspects that the grand illusion is merely a well planned and executed hoax. As the strange phenomenon continues to baffle until it is thought to be real, the apocalypse continues to unfold along with the intense romance making for an exquisite fantasy.

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” -Benjamin Franklin.

One of the issues I’d like to address is open access to knowledge. When this freedom is limited there are reduced chances of education and our free-thinking structure is compromised.

Last week the library system celebrated the 30th anniversary of Banned Books Week.

Banned Books Week is the observance of one of the most basic freedoms of a democratic society, the right to read and access information freely.

Thousands of individuals and institutions across the United States participate in Banned Books Week each year, and it has grown into a premier literary event and a national awareness and advocacy campaign around censorship.

Did you know that in 2011 more than 300 books and materials were challenged in schools, libraries, and other institutions? Are you aware that every day there are people not only all over the world, but in the United States who are trying to censor not only what information you have available whether it be a book, internet website, or musical lyric?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary a censor is defined as a person who supervises conduct and morals. This freedom, not only to choose what we read, but also to select from a full array of possibilities, is firmly rooted in our American heritage.

Observed since 1982, Banned Books Week reminds us not to take for granted our precious freedom to read. According to the American Library Association, the freedom to choose what we read is an unalienable right due to the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

ALA notes that “challenges are not simply a point of view, but an attempt to remove materials from public use, thereby restricting the access of others. Even if the motivation to ban or challenge a book is well-intentioned, the outcome is detrimental”.

Some of the most commonly challenged books are To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemmingway.

A few of the most current books that are challenged are the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

Without the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment,  library shelves could be home to a far smaller collection than is currently present.

We are a free-thinking society but there are people who want to censor what others can say or do or read.

While most censorship ideas might be well intended, there is also the issue that censors could be afraid because knowledge is power and it promotes ideas. Look at other countries such as those parts in the Middle East. People are told what a leader wants to tell them and it is usually untruths, so they end  up with a distorted view of the world.

We are so fortunate to live in America, a democracy, where we are free to read, disagree, and voice our opinions. We should truly appreciate how extremely lucky we are to have libraries and to be able to check out any book we choose.

Not all materials are intended for all readers, but everyone has the right to make their own decisions.

Can’t get enough of the hit show Justified? Well, justify your obsession with the newest suspense novel from Elmore Leonard by following Raylan to Harlan County, Kentucky, where the citizens have turned to drug dealing after the local coal mines are shut down. The situation quickly escalates and turns into a drug cartel that stops nothing short of selling kidneys in this thrilling page-turner.

The Picker’s Bible is just that – a manual that shows you how to weed through and pick out the valuable collectables and antiques just like the pros! So whether you are cleaning out your basement, sifting through end of summer garage sales, or scouring through thrift stores and flea markets, this handy how-to guide will make your shopping a breeze and will give you the ability to snag those timeless antiques for a great price! Keeping your eyes open for vintage collectables and salvaging would-be landfill knickknacks can be well worth your time and money. Happy hunting!

Have you already finished all of your books that you purchased at our book sale? Do you have a set of old encyclopedias from 1967? Or a collection of great aunt Marsha’s cookbooks? Well, here is the perfect way to recycle those old books that are no longer useful. Thompson’s artful book of how to reuse old pages of newspapers, books, and/or magazines is a great way not to let those ancient items go to waste. Learn how to make clothing, bags, decorations, and much more with this brilliantly illustrated how-to manual. And don’t forget, if you have new or slightly used books that could be enjoyed by someone else, all libraries are more than happy to take them off of your hands at any time! Simply come in and drop your donations off at the front desk!

If you think feminism was a movement from back in the 70′s and no longer exists make sure to check out a copy of Jessica Valenti’s new book called Full Frontal Feminism, a book that shows why feminism matters, especially in today’s society.  Feminism is prevalent and still out to change the world. whether you are a teenager looking for a breath of fresh air after tuning in to today’s media or a well established woman with a hunger to make the world a better place, this book is for YOU.

There’s no better time to get in shape for summer and swimming suit season that during National Fitness Month. This May whether you’re toning up with a kickboxing workout, learning how to juice power fruits and vegetables, or finding new ways to cook with less fat and sugar, check out our collection of fitness books, dvds, and other materials. It’s never too late how to incorporate exercise and healthy habits into your daily routine.

For more information check out http://www.fitness.gov/getmovingamerica.htm for inspiration on how to reach your health goals!

Jeanette Winterson has made her mark in world literature with works that are now required reading for contemporary literature. In this book Winterson takes a retrospective look at every aspect of her life from her fanatically religious book burning, adoptive mother who literally sparked her decision to start writing books of her own, to the journey and obstacles she overcame while desperately searching for her biological mother.