Book sale begins Thursday, ‘Villain School’ party Saturday
Friends of the Library Book Sale
The Friends of the Newton Public Library will hold the 2012 Annual Book Sale at the library beginning with a “First Pick Sale” for Friends members from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Friends memberships are available at the door, so if you’re not a Friend yet, you can easily become one. The sale will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Saturday features a special — bring your own bag (any size) for “a bag of books for two bucks.” Come to the book sale, find great bargains and help the Friends continue their mission of promoting reading for all ages, library usage and support of the Newton Public Library.
Villain School Book Launch Party
Mattingly Music & Bookstore and the Newton Public Library will team up with local author Stephanie S. Sanders to host a launch party in celebration of her second book, “Villain School: Hero in Disguise” (ages 8-12). This free family event will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Carousel Horse Room and will include activities, prizes and refreshments. Sanders will be on hand to talk and sign books. Guests are encouraged to pre-order “Hero in Disguise” from Mattingly’s.
About the author: Stephanie S. Sanders grew up on an Iowa farm. She published her first poem in a local newspaper at the age of 8 and knew she wanted to be a writer. Currently, Stephanie lives near Newton with her husband and two daughters. For more information on her books, visit www.villainkids.com.
Story Times at Newton Public Library
• Enjoy the story “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” with Youth Services Librarian Phyllis Peter during Preschool Story Time at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
• Toddlers and Twos Story Time, which is for children ages 18 months to 36 months old, will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. A second Toddlers and Twos Story Time will follow at 11 a.m. Choose to attend one session, but not both. All story times meet in the Carousel Horse Room, except on holidays, and are free and open to all children and their caregivers. Contact Youth Services Librarian Phyllis Peter at (641) 792-4108 with questions.
Book Review of the Week by Library Staff Member Sarrah Knight
Have you heard of the Halifax explosion of 1917? I hadn’t until I picked up Sally Walker’s “Blizzard of Glass.” A former resident of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Walker expanded on her interest in the tragedy by penning this book, which is a combination of dumbed-down textbook and fascinating recounting of survivors’ tales.
When a ship stuffed with wartime explosives collided with another in Halifax Harbour, the detonation itself leveled two entire neighborhoods. Between the explosion and the ensuing tsunami and fires, roughly 2,000 people died, many of whom were never identified. It’s an event that continues to haunt residents to this day. This book certainly bears reading if for no other reason than to reacquaint the world with the tremendous loss felt by that community and all of the efforts to provide aid made not only in Canada, but also worldwide.
Weed ’em and Weep!
Check out this display of “last chance” books. Books on this display are on their way out of the library unless they are checked out by readers. The display is changed every two weeks.
iPad Sharing Session — Readin’, Writin’
and ‘Rithmetic
Join Public Services Librarian Holly Youngquist for an iPad sharing session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, in the library conference room. Bring your iPad; the library has Wi-Fi. Holly will give a short presentation about productivity apps at the beginning of the meeting, and attendees can get to know each other and share ideas afterward. Registration is required as class size is limited. Call the library at (641) 792-4108 to register.
Genreflecting: A Book Club for Adults
At 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, the Genreflecting book club will meet in the library conference room. Each month readers will enjoy a book from a different genre of fiction. The genre for October will be horror, and the group will read “Odd Thomas” by Dean Koontz. Register for the book club meeting at the information desk so a book can be ordered for all attendees. The discussion will be led by Public Services Librarian Holly Youngquist.
