The We Know Books, ETC. Blog Has Moved

In order to serve you better, this blog has moved to our website http://homewoodpubliclibrary.org. You now have four options. There is a Children's, Teen, and Adult blog, OR, you can access the Library Blog, which is a combination of those three. Let us explain...

To access the Homewood Public Library Blogs click here http://homewoodpubliclibrary.org/blog. This is where the Children's, Teen, and Adult Dept. Blogs all flow together to form a single blog for the entire library. Here you'll find current news, reviews and information for ALL ages.

But, if you are interested in a particular age group:

For the Children's Blog click here http://homewoodpubliclibrary.org/children to get all the latest Children's News, Reviews & Information.

For the Teen Blog click here http://homewoodpubliclibrary.org/teens to find all the latest Teen News, Reviews & Information.

For the Adult Dept. Blog click here http://homewoodpubliclibrary.org/adults to access all the latest Adult News, Reviews & Information.

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Thanks and we'll see you over on the new site!

Happy Birthday Julia!

Julia Child would have celebrated her 100th birthday today if she was still with us, and if she were I am sure she would celebrate with good food and friends.

 

This month you should also savor all that Julia Child brought to the table of the culinary arts by indulging in these delectable books, e-books, audiobooks, biographies and yes, even a movie about America's first and most beloved celebrity chef.

Happy 100th Julia!

Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Click here to check out the book that begin Julia Child's career in the big old hardback version.

 

As Always Julia, the letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto.

Click here to check out this book about a friendship that begin as the result of a column by DeVoto's husband written in Harper Publications' Easy Chair decrying the ubiquitous, dull, stainless steel American paring knife .

 

  

My Life In France.

Click here to check out the E-Book version of this books about Julia's experience in France.

 

 

Dearie: the remarkable life of Julia Child

Click here to check the audiobook format of this newest publication.

  

Bon Appetit: the delicious life of Julia Child

Click here to check out this well written Juvenial Biography.

 

 

Julie & Julia 

Click here to check out the DVD if the 2009 movie based on Julie Powell's blog and book.

 

I will end with one of my favorite Julia quotes 

“Everything in moderation... including moderation.”

Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda

Everyone knows the story of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. In Claudia Rueda’s new picture book, Huff & Puff: Can You Blow Down the Houses of the Three Little Pigs, this classic childhood story gets a new twist. With simple texts and sketch illustrations, Huff & Puff is a great way to introduce your toddlers to this classic tale. Rueda does add her own spin though. The reader is the wolf! That’s right. After each pig is introduced there is a cut out in the book with the text “Huff and Puff”. But don’t worry, there is a delightful surprise at the end of this story. 

The Star of the XXX Olympiad

For two weeks every four years, athletes from around the world come together to compete in the Olympics. Every four years, new stars emerge from the competition. One star will be remembered for generations because during the XXX Olympiad in London he accomplished what no other human has done before: win nineteen Olympic Gold Medals. 

How to train with a T.Rex and win eight Gold Medals., by Micheal Phelps and Ward Jenkins is a autobiography by the unquestionable star of the London Games. This is his story of what it takes to accomplish what he has done in his sport. Over the next few months I am certain new publications about his accomplishments during these games will be written.

Last night as I watched the Closing Ceremonies, I found myself thinking about this. For the athletes who train their whole lives to participate in the Olympic games, having the chance must seem a bit like Christmas. The Games take forever to finally arrive, you have to be very good to get what you want, and then just like that they are over and all that is left is memories. In reality it took Micheal Phelps three Olympics to accomplish this historical feat of twenty two Medals, eighteen of them Gold. However his last Olympic swim was over in 3:03.30. Like the best Christmas memories, I am sure Micheal Phelps will remember his last Olympic competition and many accomplishments for a long long time, I know I will.

 Click here to check out this great book!

52 Reasons To Hate My Father by Jessica Brody

Lexington Larrabee has everything. Fabulous clothes, an expensive car, a mansion, a jet at her disposal and a check for $25 million dollars waiting for her….that is until her dad spoils everything. After causing one too many scandals Lexi’s father decides she has to earn her inheritance… all $25 million. Now she must complete 52 weeks of 52 dead end minimum wage jobs before she can cash in on her fortune. Add in the fact that her father has stuck her with a babysitter, granted a very cute babysitter who is quite ripped, and Lexi’s world pretty much sucks. But there is more to meets the eye with this rich girl. Underneath her fabulous lifestyle, Lexi’s lives in a world without love. Will her 52 jobs be able to solve her problems or will Lexi be drawn back into her old life of scandal?

     52 Reasons To Hate My Father is a great summer novel. We have all seen the socialites scattered on the tabloids, but in Jessica Brody’s new novel she adds a certain twist to the out of control rich girl that we usually see. 52 Reasons to Hate My Father will keep you entertained and smiling as Lexi struggles to adjust to her new lifestyle.

"Da da da da da da da da da da da"

This week the XXX Olympiad Games has featured some outstanding performances in Track & Field.  None more impressive than that of Kirani James, a 19-year-old former standout at the University of Alabama. Coached by Harvey Glance, former Auburn University athlete and 1976 Olympic Gold Medal winner, James crushed the finish line all alone in 43.94 seconds. Upsetting the favored USA 400 meter athletes, he won the first Olympic Gold Medal for his native Grenada.

Watching James win I could not help but think of Chariots of Fire, the winner of Best Picture at the 1981 Academy Awards. This is the fact-based story of two British athletes preparing and participating in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. Eric Lidden, a devout Christian running for the glory of his God and Harold Abrahams, a Jew, running  to overcome prejudice. Unlikely to win against the heavily favored USA athletes, against all odds they return home triumphant. 

Don't get me wrong, I am ways rooting for Team USA, but each time I watch this movie I was find myself cheering for these two Brits. This is arguable the best 'Olympic' movie ever made. Check it out. Watch it.             

After the games of course.

                                           Click here to check this DVD 

'GOLD MEDAL SUMMER'

Well now that Gabby has taken the  Gold in the Olympic Gymnastics All Round a lot of young girls are wondering  what a Gold Medal Summer would be like. In the  Juvenile Fiction novel GOLD MEDAL SUMMER by Donna Freitas, that is just what the main character Joey Jordan hopes to experience.

The book draws from the authors real-life experience as a competitive gymnast. It is about gymnasts, but is also it is a young girl stretching perceived limits, bending the rules and finding balance. A perfect fiction read for this Olympic summer!

Oh and Go Team USA!

 

 Click here to check out a copy of this book.

'Jackie Joyner Kersee Superwoman'

Well folks, tonight is the Opening Ceremonies of the XXX Olympiad Games in London.
I will be watching them at Homewood's Olympic Training Site at Lakeshore Foundation with some of the USA top Paralympic athletes. My love for the Olympics begin as a child and over the years I have had the good future to meet and know so many Olympic heroes. A few include Alice Coachman, Willma Rudolph, Billy Mills, Bob Beamor, Charlies Barkley, Jennifer Chandler, Rowdy Gaines, Michael Johnson, Florance (FoJo) Griffin, Carl Lewis, but one of my favorites is Jackie Joyner Kersee.

Homewood Public Library Children's Department  has several biographies on Jackie Joyner Kersee, because she is one of my favorite Olympians and people. A product of title IX , she is a shining example of what young women, given a chance to compete in high school and college sports, can hope to achieve. She is also a shining example of an accomplished athlete who gives back to her sport.

Jackie Joyner Kersee Superwoman follows Jackie's athletic career from Lincoln High School in East St. Louis through 1994, a period in time when Jackie was breaking world records and ground for female athletes in Olympic sports. This book is co-authored by Margaret Goldstein and Jennifer Larson. Larson, a seven-time All-American in track and cross country from St. Olaf College, provides a unique insight into the hard work and determination required to be successful in a sport on the Olympic level. 

The London Games are here, and new stars will certainly emerge. I am excited and also feel so lucky I am now meeting some of my Paralympic heroes like Aimee Bruder and Aliison Milford. That said, Jackie Joyner Kersee will always be one of my favorites. She will also always be recognized as one of the top USA Olympians of all times. I hope you will read about her accomplishments and now let the games begin!

 

To reserve a copy of this book click here.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Meet Ivan, a silverback gorilla who is the main attraction at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. Ivan has a pretty nice life. He has his TV, his art, and his friends (including Stella the Elephant and Bob the stray dog). Ivan doesn’t really think about his old life with his gorilla family. Ivan is content in his domain. Soon, a new arrival shakes things up at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. When Ivan meets Ruby, a baby elephant who joins them to boost business, Ivan realizes that there is more to life than what he knows. 

    The One and Only Ivan is a lovely story about friendship that you cannot help but love. The characters are endearing and the story of Ivan and Ruby is quite powerful. Based on the true story of a gorilla at the Atlanta Zoo, The One and Only Ivan will utterly charm you.

An English Summer

With the start of the XXX Olympiad Games in London, in less than two days, all eyes will  soon be on England. But the truth is between the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton a little over a year ago and this magnificent production by PBS there are already a lot Anglophiles here in the good old USA.

Downton Abbey, is a beautiful  'period'  production shot on location. In 2011 it entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the "most critically acclaimed English language  television show" for the year", becoming the first British show to be recognized as such by the Guinness Book of Records.  So what are you waiting for?

This August, between watching  the outstanding athletic events going on at the  London Olympics, I highly suggest you find time to make yourself a spot of tea, relax and enjoy Downton Abbey.

To check out Downton Abbey Session One click here.

Click here to learn more about PBS Masterpiece Theater's Downton Abbey

The Gift of Fire / On the Head of a Pin: two short novels from Crosstown to Oblivion

     Walter Mosley's latest work, "The Gift of Fire / On the Head of a Pin: two short novels from Crosstown to Oblivion" is another foray into the world of science fiction.The two novels require the mind to try and comprehend two tales of the past, present, and future.They are as much alike as they are different.One novel delves into the gift of internal fire and how a former god must decide who is worthy of carrying the flame.This flame is the flame that makes one decide to get off the sidelines and do something.The other novel is the meshing of an alien being who looks prehistoric but actually is years more advanced than modern man.Somewhere along the way the more man went forward, the more he went backward. ~L. Jones

Jump!

Michael Jordan was not always a household name. Once upon a time he was just an ordinary boy living in North Carolina with his family. Jump! From the life of Michael Jordan by Floyd Cooper is the story of how that ordinary Michael became 'Air' Jordan, one of the most outstanding athletes of the century.  

Michael Jordan is a two time Olympic Gold Medalist. He earned Gold Medals on the USA 1984 Olympics team, while he was a Junior at the University of North Carolina, and also as a member of the infamous 1992 USA Olympic 'Dream Team' that won Gold in Barcelona, Spain. 

To check out this book click here.

Taste of Home Cookbooks

We have all been there. We open up our cabinets after spending all day at work and we see nothing to eat. Yes, there are usually plenty of ingredients, but what to make? The last time I want to do is spending hours cooking and prepping something, especially after work.

That’s why I love the Taste of Home cookbooks. My two favorites are Taste of Home: The BusyFamily Cookbook and Taste of Home: Simple and Delicious. 

 The recipes are simple, quick, and incorporate items that most kitchens already have (none of those fancy shmancy ingredients you’ve never heard of and cost an arm and a leg), and Taste of Home provides beautiful pictures. I love cookbooks with photos that way I know what it is suppose to look like. If you are looking for some simple and great cookbooks with recipes that your whole family will enjoy then Taste of Home books are definitely what you are looking for. 

Be sure to check out some of the other great Taste of Home cookbooks that are in the system! Click here for more choices. 

Here is a recipe for Bacon-Wrapped Chicken that is a favorite of my family!It is beyond yummy! Enjoy :)