Dewey – A Small Town Library Cat Who Touched The World by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter (Non Fiction #590)
On Jan. 18, 1988, with a temperature of -15 a Spenser, Iowa librarian went to get books from the book drop. They heard a noise and found a shaking gray mass of mud in the corner that turned out to be a kitten. So begins the story of Dewey Readmore Books. The librarian gently coaxed him back to life and he was adopted by the library staff and, soon, the whole community. He gained notoriety when a local newspaper, and TV station did a story about Dewey and news rapidly spread worldwide. Dewey greeted everyone at the door and sat on kids laps one by one during story time. He did not like “outside.” He was ambassador to the Library for 19 years. Over the years 11 people confessed that they had put the now famous kitten in the book slot.
A Hell Of A Place To Lose A Cow by Tim Brookes (Non Fiction #910)
This book was read because our reader was thinking of “Travels With Charlie” and other books about traveling across America. Ebenezer Bryce’s homesteaded was outside Bryce Canyon in Utah. The city was named after him. Once when asked what he thought of his spectacular view, he replied, “It is a hell of a place to lose a cow.” Now you know! The author talked National Geographic into sponsoring a hitchhiking trip across the US, 25 years after he had done it as a youth. Can you imagine standing by a roadside with your thumb out for three hours while hoping someone would give you a ride? If you can’t, read this book.
Oogy by Larry Levin (Non Fiction #636)
The author met Oogy as a puppy at a shelter. He had been used as bait in a dog fight arena. He was horribly disfigured. The authors heart went out to him, so he was adopted. Oogy returned the love many times over. He was thought to be a pitbull, but DNA proved hime to be a Dogo Argentino bred in to hunt pumas. Our reader was enchanted.
Highest Duty – My Search For What Really Matters by Capt. Chelsea “Sully” Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow (book donated to Library)
Our reader found this book wonderful and uplifting. “Sully” had moral values and great leadership skills. These were instrumental in the famous emergency landing on the Hudson River after a bird(s) was sucked into the jet engine of the plane he was flying. He was the last person off the plane!
The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah (fiction)
This story of two sisters enduring and surviving in France during WWII reminded our reader of her mother’s experience during that time. Many years after her mother’s death, our reader found papers about those experiences and typed them up. Her mother, a Catholic saved many Jewish people. The group discussed this and suggested she take a copy toTemple Beth David in SLO as she is very proud of this formerly unknown fact of her parent.
Mariposa by Greg Bear (Fiction)
Our reader thought this was a great book by one of the best Science Fiction writers. He makes women central in the storyline, which is not common in sci-fi.
Landscaping with Herbs by Jim Wilson (Non Fiction #580)
Our reader found this book provides a wealth of ideas using herbs in a landscape structure for flavor, fragrance and color. It is well organized with chapters on borders, edging, fragrance and kitchen gardens. It also has beautiful illustrations providing visual incentives that are inspiring.
When We Cease To Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut
This book tells of the complicated links between scientific and mathematical discovery, madness and destruction. The author thrusts the reader into the lives of luminaries showing how they grappled with profound questions of existence. Our reader found this book thought provoking, and it left a lasting impression.
—Fran Strauser
Our topic for February 11 is “Western’s”: Louis L’Amour, Larrry McMurtrey, Craig Johnson, William Johnston, Elmer Kelton, Hampton Sides “Blood & Thunder”, which is about Kit Carson, Settling the West, or a bio about John Wayne are some suggestions.