Play-it-away, Sam!

Well, it's that time of year again when it's simply too cold to jog outside with my neighborhood pals. So, I've grudgingly hit the treadmill. It's not the treadmill I despise, it's the solitude. My dreaded jog passes so much more quickly with good company. Alas, I think that I have solved this problem with the help of the Playways available at the library. Playaways are cool! Basically a book on an MP3 player, Playaways are small and lightweight - perfect for the treadmill. The collection at WCPL includes loads of fiction in many genres, non-fiction, biographies and even foreign language instruction.
I recently "re-read" The da Vinci Code while traveling. I even made it through airport security with the Playaway and that's no small feat these days. The daVinci Code was read by a man with a wonderful French accent where appropriate. So, now I'm brushing up on my rusty French while I jog.
If you are traveling this winter or, if like me, you need something to pass the time while you hit the treadmill, try our Playaways. I bet you'll be playing it away again and again.

Paying our Respects

This week we are commemorating Veterans Week at WCPL. The focus this year is Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place for thousands of our military veterans. The exhibit acts as a historical overview of the wars the United States has fought. The collection of artifacts is stunning and complete with uniforms, photos, books and memorabilia. However, the result of the exhibit has been far more personal than any collection of keepsakes. Many veterans and veterans' loved ones have visited and shared their stories. They have also shared their thanks for being remembered. I must admit that being thanked by a veteran was both startling and humbling to me. As someone who has never served in the military, I feel indebted to these brave men and women and, in fact, I thought there was nothing I could do or say to express the depth of my gratitude. After speaking with some of these heroes, I realized that a simple "Thank You" is all they require. And so, I say "Thank You" for defending our nation, our rights and our people.

If you would like to read more about the great men and women who have served our country, there are many, many books available in the library on the topics of military personnel and history. These are some of the books that I found most interesting.

For Comrade and Country, Oral Histories of World War II Veterans, edited by Robert G. Thobaben

The War in Iraq, A Photo History

Arlington National Cemetery, A Nation's Story Carved in Stone, photographs by Lorraine Jacyno Dieterle and forward by John McCain

America's White Table, by Margot Theis Raven

This is NOT your mother's hot chocolate!

I have found the most sinful book in the library! Hot Chocolate: 50 heavenly cups of comfort by Fred Thompson is a chocolate lover's dream. During the two weeks that I enjoyed the book, we savored nearly all of the recipes - some of them twice! It was simply gluttonous. I'm warning you: this is not your mother's hot chocolate. One variety is very simply Ghirardelli chocolate caramel squares melted together with whole milk! Talk about rich! Other recipes are more exotic, incorporating cinnamon or mint. And, there are recipes with an international flair, like the hot chocolate from Angelina's in Paris. This was my favorite recipe, although it really is best when you drink it in Paris, at Angelina's, looking at the Louvre. I was thrilled to find this recipe as I have craved this elixir since leaving Paris in 1987! Turns out, Fred Thompson has many wonderful cookbooks including topics like crab and BBQ. Gee, I wonder if he has a recipe for crab cakes as good as in New England . . . I'll get back to you on that.

Grande Dame, Savannah

As our Ohio weather turns colder, I am drawn to the South. In particular I long to return to Savannah, Georgia. I fell in love with Savannah before I had ever set foot in Georgia, courtesy of John Berendt's engaging story-telling. This charming city revealed herself to me as the protagonist of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Berendt's descriptions of Savannah are so detailed that I actually used his book as my tour guide when I finally visited this Grande Dame. While the murder mystery that takes place in Midnight reads like the most skillfully crafted fiction, make no mistake about it, this story is non-fiction. And in this case, truth is definitely stranger than fiction! After Berendt leads you into the city, he will introduce you to the well-to-do, the Southern Belles and Gentlemen, the voodoo priestess, the drag queen and many others whose lives intertwine without any acknowledgement on their behalf. The charismatic people of Savannah, the deep-rooted Southern traditions and the history contained in Midnight blend together in this real life mystery that I read again and again.

Hungry for a Good Mystery?

Admittedly, I will read any mystery and enjoy it - even the fluff. And while Diane Mott Davidson's earliest mysteries were mostly marshmallow, her latest books provide more substance. Davidson's series focuses on Goldy, a Colorado caterer, who finds herself in the middle of many a murder. Toss in a young son, beat in an abusive ex-husband, sprinkle with an eccentric and very rich best friend (who happens to share the same ex-husband), fold together with a new husband who works as a Detective for the local police department and you've got the recipe for a light mystery series. Speaking of recipes, Davidson shares many of Goldy's recipes in the books and the recipes are delicious! With more than a baker's dozen in the series, there are plenty of books to enjoy. No doubt this is light reading, but very enjoyable.