Precision. The meticulous writing perfectly accompanies the main character. Perowne is a surgeon by profession and takes the same cool, calculating analytical frame of mind into the rest of his life. New to Ian McEwan, I am stunned by the author’s meticulous attention to language. The vocabulary is impressive and leads the reader to examine new thoughts and understand exactly where the character of Perowne lives. His self reflective style allows access to the internal character and the levels of thought throughout a single Saturday and to the decisions that present. Anyone getting close to fifty can relate; the issues of newly grownup children, taking care of an elderly parent, the state of the world post 9-11, the minute occurances and the life altering turns that occur during the course of one day. What happens to one industrious, cautious, perfectionistic man when confronted with the uncontrollable? The conclusion is heroic, partly disappointing when Perowne is dismissive of consequences beyond himself, but an honest  male perspective. Word choice alone is enough to recommend this book.

I am usually more of a Rachel Ray cook; throw in some of this and pile in some of that.  When Watching the Food Network and Giada De Laurentiis, I don’t see much of my cooking or style.  However, “Every Day Pasta” by Giada De Laurentiis is filled with great, easy pasta that looks fabulous. The cookbook is much better than the television show and I can’t wait to get into the kitchen to try out her pasta including Pasta Go-Withs; Antipasta and Appetizers, Something on the side, Pasta for all Seasons; Soups and Pasta Salads, Hearty Pastas, On the Lighter Side, Quick and Easy Weeknight Pastas, and Pasta for Special Occasions and Basics. She includes cooking tips, a primer and enough stories and pictures for the visually oriented. Mmm, mmm.

Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century

Henry Jenkins, Director of the Comparative Media Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published this white paper that explores new frameworks and models for media literacy.

“A participatory culture is a culture with relatively low barriers to artistic expression and civic engagement, strong support for creating and sharing one’s creations, and some type of informal mentorship whereby what is known by the most experienced is passed along to novices.  A participatory culture is also one in which members believe their contributions matter, and feel some degree of social connection with one another (at least they care about what other people think about what they have created).

A growing body of scholarship suggest potential benefits of these forms of participatory culture, including opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, a changed attitude toward intellectual property, the diversification of cultural expression, the development of skills valued in the modern workplace, and a more empowered conception of citizenship. ”

With the addition of this blog (On The Same Page) to the Sweetwater County Library webpage, it is hoped that you will feel empowered to contribute, participate, share, create and have your say. Participation is easy, click on the comments link located at the end of each post and fill in the text boxes with your information.  If you would like to contribute your thoughts on your latest read, please email: cmoore@will.state.wy.us. Book reviews will be given a dedicated posting.

“We are moving away from a world in which some produce and others consume media, toward one in which everyone has a more active stake in the culture produced.”

You can do it! Libraries belong to everyone, what are you thinking or reading?  We would love to hear!

Nonfiction DVDs

Sentimental Reflections Summer 2005 edition of the series: Story, Scenery and Song:  Off the Beaten Path, Time Capsule, On a Musical Note and Scenic America.

DNA: Secret of Photo 51 James Watson and Francis Crick publisized their groundbreaking discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, but their crucial breakthrough depended on the work of Rosalind Franklin who was, until now, not vindicated as the pioneer of the structure of DNA.

Cuttlefish, Kings of Camouflage Cuttlefish are the most often overlooked massters of camouflage.

Game Sports Learn From the Pros: Defensive Drills and Offensive Drills.  Both videos provide baseball drills from the pros.

Taunton Fine Woodworking Workshop Series: Hand Planes, Rustic Furniture, Carving Techniques, Chip Carving, Hand Applied Finishes, Wood Finishing, Hand Tools, Biscuit Joinery

Fiction DVDS

Bridge to Terabithia A Walt Disney book to movie fantasy adventure about the power of imagination and the magic of friendship.

Premonition A Sandra Bullock film about the truth and the meaning of reality and destiny.

Books on CD

The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver. A gripping crime thriller with a brutal but astute murderer dubbed the Son of Manson.

Hitched by Carol Higgins Clark. A fresh and funny mystery from the Regan Reilly series.

Innocent as Sin by Elizabeth Lowell Kayla Shaw’s life changes in a split second due to being set up as a money laundering millionaire.

Blaze by Richard Bachman. An early Stephen King republished.

The Double Agents by W.E.B. Griffin. The Men At War Series, The OSS has been tasked with convincing Axis Powers the Allied Forces will not be invading.

North River by Pete Hamill.  Takes listeners back to 1934 when the Great Depression held New York City in its relentless grip.

Undead and Uneasy by MaryJanice Davidson. A new genre in fiction – paranormal chick-lit.

When Day Breaks by Mary Jane Clark. A controversial star of the top reated morniing news program dies and the news team launches an investigation.

The Naming of the Dead by Ian Rankin. When the leaders of the free world descend on Scotland for an internationa conference, every cop in the country is needed to control the mob of protestors.

Nonfiction Books on CD

A Leader’s Legacy by Kouzes and Posner. 22 short essays delivered in four parts: significance, relationships, aspirations and courage while tackling the thorny issues of today’s leaders.

Step Into Success by Nido Qubein.  Success is not a matter of luck, an accident of birth or a reward for virtue.

Quantum NLP Thought into Manifestation by Christiane Turner. Quantum NLP is the art and science of Human Excellence.

You Need to be a Little Crazy, The Truth about starting and growing your business by Barry J. Moltz. Advice about starting a business.

Living an Empowered Life, Techniques for creating clarity, confidence optimism and wealth by Denise Lynch CHT.  This series guides you through the techniques and skills and attitudes that activates your best possible life.

Love, Magic and Mudpies, Raising Your Kids to Feel Loved, Be Kind, and Make a Difference by Bernie Siegal, MD.  Turn trying situations into opportunities for growth.

I am always looking for good reads, new authors or a list for an escape from the heat and housework. Nation Public Radio features Summer Reads: “You Must Read This”, “Critics List”, “Book Tour”, “Cooking and Cookbooks” and “What Are You Reading”. You will enjoy the site, all the information, the podcasts of authors and maybe find your next favorite.

Book Standard Reports:

Deathly Hallows’ Sales Top Eight Million

July 23, 2007
By Kimberly Maul

More than 8.3 million copies J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows were sold in the book’s first 24 hours on sale, Scholastic estimated, making it the best-selling one-day release of a book. The company printed a record-breaking 12 million copies for the first print run.

 Reserve your copy here.

From CultureVulture Blog:

“Not only can you judge a book by its cover, it seems you can judge the person reading it, too. According to a survey of over 2,000 adults carried out by internet pollsters YouGov for Borders bookstore, books play a crucial role in influencing our opinions of strangers. Half of those asked admitted that they would look again or smile at someone on the basis of what they were reading.

And it gets better. For those of you troubled by the lingering idea (instilled in youth by parents obsessed with the benefits of “enjoying the sunshine”) that a life spent reading is a life half-lived, your worries are over. Not only does sitting with your nose in a book positively influence others’ opinion of you, it could actually – get this – lead to sex. A third of those surveyed said that they “would consider flirting with someone based on their choice of literature”. It’s finally official, people. Reading is hot.”Read entire article here.

What do you think?  Do you find readers attractive?

The joy of libraries lies in the sharing of information. Never, on my own would I chose a book of horror. With a formidable recomendation, I checked out “The Heart Shaped Box” by Joe Hill. When I timidly discovered the fear factor, I was again strongly encouraged to stick with the story.

Aging rock star, Jude Coyne has few redeeming characteristics; he collects macabre artifacts, leans towards notorious excesses, is a superficial boss and lover and contributes little. He casually makes an online bid for a suit belonging to a dead man to complement his collections. After the suit arrives, along with the dead man’s ghost, the connections to the past, the ghost, the suit and past relationships are revealed. One of Jude’s cast-off groupies has died and the suit belonged to her step father, Craddock McDermott. The ghost terrorizes Jude and his current girlfriend to revenge his step daughter’s death. The resulting chase through the south, through families and past histories reveal the deeper motives of the malevolent spirit while peeling years and past scars from Jude. Not the barren life form first imagined, Jude’s colors develop and the shine beneath the rust begins to reflect light. (Doug – you were right.)

Joe Hill was outed as the son of Stephen King in a recent Vanity Fair article. He is the recipient of a Ray Bradbury Fellowship, received the William L. Crawford Award for Best New Fantasy Writer in 2006, the A.E. Coppard Long Fiction Prize in 1999 and the World Fantasy Award for Best Novella for “Voluntary Committal”. His first book, “20th Century Ghosts” is a collection of short stories that won the Bram Stoker Award for Best Fiction Collection and the British Fantasy Award.

Due to Erin’s efforts Wyoming’s place at First Book has risen to 47th!  It only took one day.  With more participation, we can do better!  Kudos Erin!

It bears repeating that First Book, dedicated to getting books in the hands of young children is asking for your help: “Join First Book in celebrating the distribution of our 50 millionth book this summer: tell us what book got you hooked and you’ll have the chance to share the magic with thousands of children in one lucky state”.

Erin at the Wyoming State Library has reported that Wyoming is currently ranked 49th!   She points out that participation by Wyoming residents increased the standing of our Wyoming Cowboy Mascot into a near tie for first!http://www.sportsline.com/spin/story/10177232 )

Visitors are permitted to vote once every 24 hours through July 31. Check back in August for the final results of the national vote * but also check back daily to continue voting and see which state is in the lead.

Can we can get out and push this to a more respectable number?