When Crickets Cry - a review by Debbie

When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin

Realistic Fiction

A man with a painful past, a child with a doubtful future, and a shared journey toward healing for both their hearts. On the shaded town square of a sleepy Southern town. a spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. But the little girl's pretty yellow dress can't quite hide the ugly scar on her chest. Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he's restoring at a nearby lake. The stranger understands more about the scar than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives. Before it's over, they'll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry . . . and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.

This book has such a strong message, it truly fills the reader with hope - - - - after squeezing lots of emotions into your life and out of your soul.  The characters became so real, I found it hard to disconnect from the drama of the story when it was time to close the cover.  The story holds up to reading again and again.

I DO recommend this book to others – constantly!  I even own multiple copies of it so I can loan ‘em to several friends at the same time.

Submitted by Debbie (aka The FroggyOne)

The Hunger Games - a review by Jenn

I just finished The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This book is in the sci-fi/fantasy realm of Young Adult Fiction, but has been read by multiple age groups. In book one, you encounter the 12 districts for the first time. These districts have two types of people, those living a hand to mouth existence and those who have everything they need. Katniss, the protagonist of this story, steps into the spotlight as she sacrifices herself to save her sister. She is one of 24 people (two from each district), between the ages of 12 and 18 who have to fight to the death for the entertainment of the Capital. I decided to read the book after reading a wonderful review in the Sunday paper. The review said that the trilogy is “an overt critique of violence, the series makes warfare deeply personal, forcing readers to contemplate their own roles as desensitized voyeurs.” In retrospect, I find that the review was much better than the book. This subject seems especially troublesome and engaging, since it is something we are facing in today’s society. We are becoming more and more desensitized to the cruelties that the people around us are encountering. However, I don’t think that this novel did justice to this subject. I think that the idea was solid and the concept was interesting, but the reality of the novel just didn’t get to the meat of the subject, at least not for me. I feel like Collins left some vital information out of her novel, namely the reasons why the districts she describes came about. I would have liked more details about the society itself and why the society came to be the way it was. With at least as much emphasis on this as she puts into the violence and deaths encountered in the Hunger Games, I think I would have enjoyed the novel much more. I am told that in the second book, Catching Fire more about the society will be revealed. Overall, I would encourage anyone interested to read it. It was a quick read and I think it would be a good book to incite a discussion on how we, as a society, view reality and entertainment.

Book Reviews

We want to hear what you think. Write a 150-200 word book review about any book on our library shelves. Turn your review into Socastee Library’s Circulation. Each week, we will randomly pick a review to post to our library blog.

Your book review should include:

· Your name and contact information (only your first name will be posted in the blog).

· The title, author, and genre of the book you are reviewing.

· A short description of the book.

· What did you think of the book?

· Would you recommend this book to other readers?

· Anything else you would like to say about the book.

All ages are welcome to enter.

Complete your TicTacToe for prizes!

Have you been looking for a good non-fiction book to read to complete your form for Adult Summer Reading? If you like animals you'll probably enjoy Ever By My Side by Dr. Nick Trout. Think of vet Nick Trout as an updated, urban James Herriot. His first book, Tell Me Where It Hurts, takes you to Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston where he is a staff surgeon while this latest book is memoir about his growing up with animals. Both are filled with the joys and tribulations of owning pets and how pets make our lives richer. I listened to the books on CD (yes, they count on your forms) while traveling and truly enjoyed the behind the scenes look at veterinary medicine and how relationships with animals shape our lives.

Remember your TicTacToe entry forms for Adult Summer Reading are due by Monday, August 15. There are lots of great prizes this year and you can enter multiple times - every time you read three more books to complete a new form. Just drop the form off at the main desk at Socastee Library!
~Sharon

One World, Many Stories

Registration for our 2011 Summer Reading Program begins Thursday, June 2! Come by the library on or after June 2 to pick up a packet and register kids for the Program. More information about the Program:

Children Ages 5-11
Events Thursdays at 1:30PM - advance tickets required!

June 9 - Kickoff with Magician Tim Sonefelt
June 16 - Zelnick the Magician
June 23 - Bruce Weaver Puppets
June 30 - Sharks, Tails & Teeth with Ripley's Aquarium
July 7 - Horry County Fire Department
July 7 - Last day to turn in completed Reading Logs & get tickets for Awards Day
July 14 - Awards Day for children who turned in a completed Reading Log by July 7.

Reading Log for ages 5-11: Record and add up time spent reading. When you reach 10 hours or more, turn in your log by July 7 to receive a reading medal.


Children Ages 3 & 4
Events Tuesdays at 11:00AM

June 7 - Bird stories with Red Robin
June 14 - Cow stories with the Chick-fil-a cow
June 21 - Bat stories with Celebrations Theatre
June 28 - Police stories with Sgt. Kegler
July 5 - Bear stories with Ms. Kim & Ms. Ameka
July 5 - Last day to turn in completed Reading Logs & get tickets for Awards Day
July 12 - Library stories with Ms. Darby and Ms. Ameka; Awards Day

Reading Log for ages 0-4: Read or listen to stories. Parents may list titles and record time reading. When you reach 10 hours or more, turn in your log by July 5 to receive a reading certificate.


Teens Ages 12-17
Read for at least 10 hours and complete three book reports of one page each. Turn them in by Thursday, July 14 to get tickets to the Awards Day party on Thursday, July 21 at 1:30PM. Everyone who turns in the completed Reading Log and 3 book reports will receive a certificate and medal.

Other notes: for all ages, please print your name clearly in the reading logs and book reports, so that we know what to put on your certificate.

Also, due to overcrowding and safety concerns, all programs at 1:30 on Thursdays are ticketed events. Parents and caregivers may pick up tickets to the following week's program after they drop off their child at the program. Due to overcrowding, no strollers are permitted in the meeting room or hallway during the program.

Have questions? Call or email us as listed at the top of the page. Hope to see you in the library soon!

Going Somewhere?

Just in time for summer, we have some new books about travel and vacations. Try some of these books and who knows where you'll end up? Click the links below to see a title in our catalog:

• All aboard: the complete Noth American train travel guide -- Why take a train? Read this book to find out (and to find out how).




• The 100 best affordable vacations -- This book eschews traditional vacation hot spots in favor of interesting, out-of-the-way destinations. Sleep in a tree house in Oregon, hear cowboy poetry in Nevada, or learn to make jewelry in North Carolina.




• Finally, if, like me, you're not going anywhere this year, take a look at these travel books. Fodor's Amsterdam & the Netherlands, Lonely Planet's Discover New York City, and DK's Hawaii and Washington, D.C. feature beautiful full-color photographs on every page. Almost as good as being there!

-Alan

New Book Friday

Bossypants by Tina Fey -- Amazon calls this book "short, messy, and impossibly funny." It's part memoir, part comedy routine, and laugh-out-loud funny throughout. Visit the catalog to request a copy!

-Alan

Privacy in the news

It seems like a new story about privacy violations appears every day. We've found out that:

• Apple iPhones and iPads constantly track your location -- and then store the information on your device in a file anyone can easily open. (And it's not just Apple devices.)




• The information you post on Facebook is stored indefinitely and sold to advertisers. (Note: this article is from last year, but Facebook's privacy issues remain.)




• Even if you don't use Facebook or an iPhone, your personal information can become less than personal even after shopping at the grocery store.

Your information is out there in some quantity whether you like it or not. But the good news is that you have the ability to take charge of your own privacy. Visit privacyrevolution.org for more details.

And be sure to join us next Tuesday, May 3, at 6:00pm for a presentation on privacy today. It's necessary information if you use a computer, have a phone, work at a job, or have a bank account!
-Alan

New art exhibit by Peggy Thibodeau

We're pleased to present a new art exhibit by local artist Peggy Thibodeau in the non-fiction and periodicals area of the library. Peggy, also known as "the Sidewalk Chalk Prophet," has one artist's statement: "Oh, just whatever pleases!"

For more information about Peggy, visit http://www.peggyart.com/. For pictures of the exhibit (and of past exhibits), visit our www.facebook.com/socasteelibrary or www.flickr.com/socasteelibrary.

National Library Week-For the Mind, Body, & Soul

If you have stopped into any of our libraries over the past few days or have been visiting our blog, Facebook, or Twitter accounts, you know that we have been celebrating National Library Week. However, we are also celebrating another important event, National Volunteer Appreciation Week. It is during this special week that we get the opportunity to formally recognize the efforts provided by our volunteers in serving the library, its patrons and staff, and the Socastee community.

I'm sure you have heard that libraries have the power to transform. But, did you ever stop to think how volunteerism can transform the individual? Community service can be a beneficial and enriching experience in which one is able to pursue personal growth. Harriet Naylor once said that "...volunteering can be an exciting, growing, enjoyable experience. It is truly gratifying to serve a cause, practice one's ideals, work with people, solve problems, see benefits, and know one had a hand in them." Our many volunteers come from all walks of life; men and women, teenagers and adults, from lands abroad and native folks. Yet they are drawn to Socastee Library for one reason-to serve! From April 2010 to the present, our volunteers performed almost 5,000 hours of service carrying out such tasks as shelving, collating handouts, registering children for the Summer Reading Program, advocating on the library's behalf, shelf-reading, mending books, weeding the library gardens, and assisting in the Friends Gift Shop.

We extend genuine and heartfelt gratitude for all of our volunteers' efforts and dedication in helping create a true community library. Volunteers are truly an invaluable resource!

As we draw to the close of National Library Week and National Volunteer Appreciation Week, please keep in mind that "today's libraries can help you discover a new and exciting world," filled with great opportunities for the mind, body, and soul. To get you jump started, be sure to check out The 100 Best Vacations to Enrich Your Life and The 100 Best Worldwide Vacations to Enrich Your Life, both by Pam Grout. These handy guidebooks provide succinct descriptions about exciting "volunteer vacations" as well as resources for additional information.

"We've GOT to make noise in greater amounts! So, open your mouth, lad! For every voice counts!" ~Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who

-Kim

National Library Week - What to Read?

As a lifelong fan of reading, I can't say enough about libraries. As a child, my favorite summer days were the ones when the bookmobile would visit the small town in which I lived. How gratifying to see the same joy on the faces of my customers at Socastee Library!

When I first began working in the public library, I had been a school librarian for 30 years with the last 24 of those years in elementary schools so my knowledge of adult books was rather limited. While I could easily recommend books by Clive Cussler as an author of great suspense novels and Michael Palmer for medical mysteries, I frequently found myself receiving reader guidance rather than offering it.

Thanks to the patron who insisted I read by Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn as well as the lovely lady who sang Kristin Hannah's praises as she returned Between Sisters. I hope this week you will treat yourself to a trip to Socastee Library. I'll be one of the workers at the circulation desk and will be glad to help you find a great read. - Debbie

National Library Week - About Reading

You sometimes hear authors being described as "writer's writers." These are the writers who can pick the perfect word or turn a phrase like no one else, writers whom other writers read out of admiration, or out of jealousy. They're not always the most popular writers, but are among the most respected and lauded.

Although he's certainly a great writer with a style all his own, I think of Pat Conroy as a "reader's writer" -- someone who understands exactly why we read, and writes exactly that. My Reading Life is Conroy's love letter to the books and people who shaped him. Going through My Reading Life, you don't just learn why Gone With the Wind or Look Homeward, Angel are great books, you learn a little bit about the kind of person reading these books makes you. If you're a Conroy fan, My Reading Life will enrich your experience of all his books, but it's worthwhile for any lover of reading.

During National Library Week we celebrate all that libraries offer. We often say that the library has something for everyone, but the deeper truth is that the library has something for every person that you'd like to be. As Conroy illustrates, reading transforms a person, and the tools to "create your own story" are right here!

Click here to request My Reading Life in print, large print, or as an audiobook read by the author.

-Alan

National Library Week - Library Workers Day

What I really like about Socastee Library is the professional, friendly, and courteous staff. They are all so willing to help people find books that interest them and find answers to questions. It truly is a great place to visit when you know such welcoming people are inside. Remember them on National Library Workers Day on Tuesday, April 12. One of my favorite characters is Odd Thomas of the book of the same name by Dean Koontz. In fact, if you like him in the first book, you'll enjoy the rest of the series about him. He's the kind of guy you wish was your best friend. Now, he does have some different (or odd!) talents, but those just make the story interesting. Give him a chance to be your friend by reading the book! ~Sharon

National Library Week - A World of Possibilities for Life Enrichment

Libraries are so inviting! There’s something for everyone at your local public library! What better place to spend a quiet afternoon in a cozy corner working on your laptop, or reading from a good book you’ve just found in the fiction section? Are you the type who likes to catch up with the latest news? If you are, you can find a variety of local newspapers and news-related magazines at the library. Why bother to pay for them when you can look at them in the library for free? Would you like to learn about a foreign country, begin learning a new language, perfect your talent for baking, drawing, sewing, or perhaps make your new pet behave better? You can find this information at the library. And while you are there, you can sign up for a computer class or any number of other programs being offered at the library. You can also check out movies, music cds, Playaways, and use the computers to access the Internet or do research.

Children, too, have access to thousands of children’s books, children’s dvds, cds, reference materials, and children’s computers. At the Socastee Library programs are designed especially for children; programs such as Baby Lapsit, Preschool Storytime, and a monthly Saturday Family Movie- snacks included. And then there’s the annual Summer Reading Program….all for free.

Membership at the library offers a World of Possibilities to all who walk through the door. Why not visit regularly and see for yourself how you can enrich YOUR life. While you are visiting the Children’s Room you may want to look for some of the books chosen by the Association for Library Services to Children for their 2011 list of Notable Children’s Books for younger readers. Three titles from the list are included below: We Are in a Book! By Mo Willems. Elephant and Piggie discover that someone, the reader, is looking at them in this hilarious, interactive story about the joys of reading and being read. Geisel Honor Book In the Wild By David Elliott. Illus. by Holly Meade. Candlewick. A joyful collection of brief poems paired with dynamic woodblock prints celebrates favorite animals from every continent. Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes. By Salley Mavor. Illus. by the author. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Familiar and lesser known nursery rhymes, illustrated with superb needlework and appliqué, create a charming dollhouse of a book. Find the complete list at: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb/index.cfm

-Linda

National Library Week, pt. 1

"Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation." -Walter Cronkite

National Library Week began in 1958 as a way to celebrate and appreciate our nation's libraries. This year's theme is "Create your own Story @ your library," and we'll have some special blog posts throughout the week about our own library stories. So check back throughout the week! In the meantime, here are a few titles that any library lover will enjoy:

• This Book is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson -- We're here to help.


• Library: An Unquiet History by Matthew Battles -- A surprising and lively history of libraries, from Alexandria to the present day.


• Free For All: Oddballs, Geeks and Gangstas in the Public Library by Don Borchert -- You'd be surprised...

-Alan

This Just In

Every day at the library we see people poring over the shelving carts -- books that have just been returned and are waiting to be shelved. What makes these books so special? If someone else just read it, it might be worth another read. It could be a hot title ready for another checkout, or a classic that's stirring new interest, or a book with seasonal tips. For whatever reason, we gravitate to the popular. To that end, these are a few of the in-demand new non-fiction books. These books had people waiting on them the moment they arrived at the library, so get in on the action and click on a title to request a copy for yourself!

• Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell -- The Baltimore Sun said, "Vowell could make a trip to the DMV interesting," so see what she does with the remarkable history of Hawaii.


• Against All Odds by Scott Brown -- The autobiography of Massachusetts Senator and rising political star Scott Brown.


• Every Day by the Sun by Dean Faulkner Wells -- This memoir of the Mississippi Faulkners includes "pioneers, nobel and ignoble war veterans, three never-convicted murderers, the builder of the first railroad in north Mississippi, the founding president of a bank, an FBI agent, four pilots (all brothers), and a Nobel Prize winner" who you may have heard of!


• Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein -- This book describes "the dark side of pink and pretty" and ponders how "girlie-girl" culture may be impacting our daughters.


• The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Lemmon -- The incredible, inspiring story of Kamila Sidiqi, who became the sole breadwinner for a family of five sisters after her father and brother were forced to flee Kabul -- with nothing more than needle and thread.

Happy reading! -Alan

Last Month of Safari 2011

Three more destinations! If you haven't made it to Cultural Safari yet this year, it's a great way to enjoy a fascinating journey without leaving home. Or, the library at least. This month we're going to:

• Florence - March 10 : Visit the cradle of the Renaissance in a "tour of the city through the eyes of its artists, architects and poets.
• London - March 17: Rick Steves takes us all across London, from St. Paul's Cathedral and the British Museum to the British Library and the London Eye.
• Australia - March 24: Visit the Australian Alps, Tasmania's glacial lakes, and the primeval rainforest at Lamington.

All Safaris start at 12 noon and include light refreshments. Hope to see you there!

Alan

Reading up on the Oscars

Now that the Academy Awards have all been given out, it's time to do some catching up! You can always request DVDs of any of the movies by searching our catalog, but did you also know that fully half of the Best Picture nominees were based on books? See below:

• The King's Speech - based on the book of the same name by Mark Logue
• 127 Hours - based on the true story (!), Between a Rock and a Hard Place, by Aron Ralston
• The Social Network - also based on the true story The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich
• True Grit - based on the classic western novel by Charles Portis
• Winter's Bone - based on the 2006 novel by Daniel Woodrell

Happy reading!

Alan

Not too late to celebrate!

The weather outside is just beautiful and I'm sure that many of our avid patrons and visitors are enjoying the first signs of beach weather (at least for a day in February). However, it's not too late to be part of our celebration of Library Lovers' Month.

You still have 11 more days to enter our Library Lovers' Gourmet Gift Basket Drawing. For every 3 books (or magazines, or audiobooks) you check out, you'll receive 1 ticket entry into the Gift Basket Drawing. The more you check out, the more entries you'll receive. The last day to enter is February 28th.

Also, be sure to get a kiss or a hug (of the chocolate kind) at the Circulation Desk! Fill out a paper heart letting staff know what you love about your library so that we can display it on our Wall of Hearts.

We still have quite a few librarian themed books available for checkout. My suggestions would be "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger and "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova.

Happy reading! ~Kim

Coming soon...Library Lovers Month!

Break out your pink and red clothing...February is just a few days away and that means that it's time for our month long celebration of National Library Lovers' Month at Socastee Library!

All month long be sure to enter our Library Lovers Gift Basket Drawing. Adults, each time you check out 3 books during February, you get a free entry to win the Gift Basket Drawing! Check out 6 books, get 2 free entries! Enter as many times as you can by close of February 28. The winner will be notified March 1.

On Friday, February 11, we will be hosting our Library Lovers' Appreciation Day. Join us for free coffee, snacks, music, and Bundles of Romance Book Sale, all starting at 10 a.m. Local classical guitarist, Dennis Sergent, will be performing from 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon. Don't miss out on the fun all month long as we give out hugs & kisses (of the Hershey's chocolate kind) at the Circulation Desk!

You can "love" your library by joining our Friends of the Socastee Library organization, donating your time to help keep our shelves clean and orderly, donating used books, or by advocating on behalf of your local library.

Be sure to check out our display of library and librarian themed books and add your comments about why you love your library to our famous Wall of Hearts!

See you then,

Kim