 What’s happening this week at the Library
- Tuesday at 11am Storytime – Stories, songs, crafts, and more! Plus, every child gets a free book to take home at every storytime. Story times are open to children of all ages.
- Tuesday at 6:30 pm Recipe Swap – Bring something you’ve made (along with the recipe) to share and enjoy everyone else’s creations! Every month is a different theme! This month’s theme is slow cooker recipes.
- Thursday at 6 pm Storytime – If you can’t make it to the morning storytime on Tuesday, you can come to the evening Thursday one instead.
 March Book Madness
This week is the official start of our second annual March Book Madness contest. We’ve taken our sixteen most popular books from each area of the library: adult, teen, and kids, and pitted them against each other in a battle to see which books will become our 2018 Books of the Year.
You decide who will be the winner. Vote each week during March for your favorites, either on our website or in person at the library.
You can also fill out a bracket, online or in person, to predict the winners. If you correctly predict the winner of any of the three tournaments and turn in your bracket before March 9th at 4:30 p.m., you will win a 2018 March Book Madness trophy!
When you vote each week, besides helping determine which books will move forward in the tournament of books, you will also enter yourself into weekly drawings for fun prizes.
So have a little fun and maybe win a prize at the library by participating in this year’s March Book Madness.
 Year of the Dog
In honor of Chinese New Year, which was earlier this month, we’ve put together a special “Year of the Dog” book display, featuring all kinds of dog related books.
Here are a few:
 The Dog Who Saved Me
by Susan Wilson
From the book description
Cooper Harrison of the Boston K-9 unit thought he would never go back to his hometown. Then his canine partner, Argos, is killed in the line of duty, and Cooper is mired in grief. Jobless and on the verge of a divorce, he accepts a job as animal control officer in Harmony Farms – back where he started.
Where his father was the town drunk. Where his brother was a delinquent and bully. Where he was “one of those” Harrisons. Cooper does his job with deliberate detachment until he encounters a wounded and gun-shy yellow Lab gone feral.
 Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell
by Alexandra Horowitz
From the book description
In Being a Dog, Alexandra Horowitz, a leading researcher in dog cognition, continues to unpack the mystery of a dog’s nose-view, in order to more fully understand our irrepressibly charming companions. She follows the dog’s nose – exploring not only its abilities but the incredible ways it is being put to use.
By observing everything from her own dogs to working detection dogs and human sniffers, Horowitz takes us along on her quest to make sense of scents, combining a personal journey of smelling with a tour through the cutting-edge science behind the olfactory powers of the dog.
Dog on It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery
by Spencer Quinn
From the book description
Meet Chet, the wise and lovable canine narrator of Dog on It, who works alongside Bernie, a down-on-his-luck private investigator. Chet might have flunked out of police school (“I’d been the best leaper in K-9 class, which had led to all the trouble in a way I couldn’t remember exactly, although blood was involved”), but he’s a detective through and through.
Their search for a missing teenaged girl takes them into the desert to biker bars and other exotic locals, with Chet’s highly trained nose leading the way. With his doggy ways and his endearingly hardboiled voice, Chet is full of heart and occasionally prone to mischief.
 One Nation Under Dog: Adventures in the New World of Prozac-Popping Puppies, Dog-Park Politics, and Organic Pet Food
by Michael Schaffer
From the book description
When Michael Schaffer and his wife drove to a rural animal shelter and adopted Murphy, an emaciated, dreadlocked Saint Bernard, they vowed that they’d never become the kind of people who get facials for their dogs or shell out for expensive hip replacements. But then they started to get weird looks from the in-laws: You hired a trainer? You had our dog implanted with a GPS chip? Murphy is on antidepressants?
It turned out Murphy wasn’t alone: yesteryear’s pooch has moved from the backyard doghouse to the master bedroom, evolving from man’s best friend to bona fide family member. The pet industry has ballooned from $17 billion to an estimated $43 billion in barely a decade. Schaffer provides a surprising, lively, and often hilarious portrait of our country.
What’s happening this week at the Library
- Tuesday at 11am Storytime – Stories, songs, crafts, and more! Plus, every child gets a free book to take home at every storytime. Story times are open to children of all ages.
- Tuesday at 6:30 pm Recipe Swap – Bring something you’ve made (along with the recipe) to share and enjoy everyone else’s creations! Every month is a different theme! This month’s theme is healthy food.
- Thursday at 6 pm Storytime – If you can’t make it to the morning storytime on Tuesday, you can come to the evening Thursday one instead.
Self Improvement in the New Year
Have you made any resolutions this year? If you want to get started tackling those resolutions, we may be able to help.
 Universal Class, available free to all Kansas residents courtesy of the Kansas State Library, offers hundreds of online classes covering all kinds of subjects.
Such as: • Accounting • Mathematics • Computer Training • Business • Health & Medicine • History • How to/Do it yourself • Pet and Animal Care
Kansas residents can access these online classes by going to http://kslib.info/221/Online-Databases and clicking on Universal Class. Once there you can register and create a username and password. After you’ve registered and confirmed your email address, you can enroll in up to six classes at a time. They are self-paced online classes that include video lessons, assignments and exams.
 LearningExpress Library is another helpful site you can access through the Kansas State Library website. You can use it to help you practice for tests for career advancement, college placement, GED, and to become a U.S. citizen. You can also use it to strengthen your skills in math, reading, writing, and computer skills.
 If you’ve always wanted to learn a second language or maybe improve on what you learned in high school, Mango Languages is just what you need. It is another of the online databases made available through the Kansas State Library website, http://kslib.info/221/Online-Databases, for free to Kansas Residents.
Mango prepares learners for realistic conversations and strengthens everyday communication skills in over 70 world languages, including English. If you use their mobile app, you can download lessons to study later when you don’t have an internet connection.
Here are a few books available for checkout to help with those New Year’s Resolutions
 Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up
by Marie Kondo
From the book description
Japanese decluttering guru Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has revolutionized homes—and lives—across the world. Now, Kondo presents an illustrated guide to her acclaimed KonMari Method, with step-by-step folding illustrations for everything from shirts to socks, plus drawings of perfectly organized drawers and closets.
She also provides advice on frequently asked questions, such as whether to keep “necessary” items that may not bring you joy. With guidance on specific categories including kitchen tools, cleaning supplies, hobby goods, and digital photos, this comprehensive companion is sure to spark joy in anyone who wants to simplify their life.
 You: Staying Young: The Owner’s Manual for Extending Your Warranty
by Michael F. Roizen, Mehmet Oz
From the book description
The body is the most fascinating machine ever created, and nobody talks about it in ways that are as illuminating and compelling as Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Mehmet Oz. Most people think of the aging of our bodies the same way we think of the aging of our cars: the older we get, the more inevitable it is that we’re going to break down. Most of us believe that at age 40 or so, we begin the slow and steady decline of our minds, our eyes, our ears, our joints, our arteries, our libido, and every other system that affects the quality of life (and how long we live it). But according to Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz, that’s a mistake.
Aging isn’t a decline in our systems. It’s actually very purposeful. The very systems and biological processes that age us are designed to help us when we’re a little bit younger. So what’s our role as part of the aging population? To learn how those systems work so we can reprogram them to work the way they did when we were younger. Your goal should be: die young at any age. That means you live a high quality of life until the day you die.
 The Useful Book: 201 Life Skills They Used to Teach in Home Ec and Shop
by David Bowers
This modern and energetically designed encyclopedia of DIY has everything you need to know to fix it, cook it, build it, clean it, and sew it yourself.
With illustrated step-by-step instructions, plus relevant charts, sidebars, lists, and handy toolboxes, The Useful Book features 201 practical how-tos and projects.
We may live in the information age, but that doesn’t mean the drain won’t clog. And there’s no app for that—only life skills.
 What’s happening this week at the Library
- Monday and Tuesday Closed – We will be closed for the Christmas holiday, but we will reopen for normal hours on Wednesday the 27th from 9:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.
- Wednesday at 2 pm Lego Day – Kids, come use your imagination to build something great!
- Thursday at 2 pm Craft – Kids, make a holiday themed craft.
- Thursday at 6 pm Storytime – Listen to stories, sing songs, and do a craft. Storytimes are open to children of all ages.
- Friday at 1 pm Games and a Movie – Play board and card games at 1:00 p.m. followed by a fun new family friendly movie at 2:00 p.m.
Christmas at the Library
We’ve had lots of fun at the library over the last couple of weeks. The Liberal High School Redskin Singers came to the library to perform a holiday concert. They performed contemporary and classic selections under the direction of Tony Claus.
Santa also came to the library. He sang songs with the children and read them stories. The kids enjoyed getting their pictures taken with Santa and telling him their Christmas wishes.
 For the adults, there was an Ugly Christmas Swe ater Party with games and snacks. We also had a White Elephant gift exchange. At the end of the party, we gave out prizes for the winners of the best ugly Christmas sweater contest.
Our most popular event of the season by far was the Gingerbread House Decorating. People asked weeks ahead of time if we would hold it this year and when could they sign up for it. Seating was limited to fifty kids total including the morning and afternoon sessions. All fifty seats were reserved within a couple of days of registration opening.
 The kids had lots of fun decorating their houses and front yards with their own unique styles. There were marshmallow driveways and chocolate bar piece shingles. They decorated their upside-down ice cream cone evergreen trees with cinnamon red-hot Christmas tree bulbs and licorice garlands.
The library supplied the houses, frosting, and toppings and the kids supplied the imagination.
History & Genealogy online
Did you know that as a Kansas resident, you have free access to several online databases to help you learn more about your family history? If you visit https://kslib.info/221/Online-Databases you will find a section marked History & Genealogy with several helpful resources that are free to Kansas residents courtesy of the Kansas State Library. Two of these free resources are HeritageQuest and Genealogy Connect.
HeritageQuest, powered by Ancestry.com, includes access to U.S. Federal Censuses, digitized Genealogy and local history books, Revolutionary War records, and Freedman’s Bank Records. HeritageQuest Online provides genealogical and historical sources for more than 60 countries, with coverage dating back as early as the 1700s.
Gale Genealogy Connect includes over 1,500 reference works formerly available only in print or on CD-ROM. It allows you quickly search across multiple books and view the full text of the results. It also includes ebook versions of reference books that will help genealogy beginners learn how to get started.
 Food for Fines
For this week only, November 27th through December 2nd, you can donate any nonperishable food items or new toiletries (toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, etc.) to Liberal Memorial Library and we will waive your overdue fines! All donated items will be given to local charities.
This works for overdue fines only, fines for lost or damaged items will not be waived.
Database spotlight – Consumer Reports
Did you know that, as a Kansas resident, you could use the online databases from the Kansas State Library to access full text magazines and journals (such as Consumer Reports) for free?
What if, like me, your oven dies just weeks before Thanksgiving? Or suppose you want to find a new dishwasher in time for the big holiday get together aftermath but don’t know which to buy? You could:
- Go to the Kansas State Library’s website https://kslib.info/221/Online-Databases.
- Click on the link to Explora Multi-Search under General Research.
- Click on Advanced Search.
- Type Dishwashers (or whatever else you’re looking for) on the first line,
- And type Consumer Reports on the second line.
- Choose Publication Name under the drop-down beside the second line.
- Then click Search.
The first result in the list is “Dishwashers” from the Consumer Reports Buying Guide. 2017. If you click on the underlined title, you’ll go straight to the full text article.
After you bring up the article, you also have the option of looking at other articles in the same issue or looking at other issues of Consumer Reports.
Other Databases
Besides Explora Mulit-Search, the Kansas State Library offers access to many other great databases. You could use the Auto Repair Reference Center to find repair information for your car.
LearningExpress offers tutorials and practice tests for people at different stages in life, from elementary school through college prep. The Career Center and Job & Career Accelerator can help you study for and find a new job. Use the Computer Skills Center to learn new computer skills. And the High School Equivalency Center can help you get your GED.
Mango Languages can help you learn a new language. Universal Class offers over 500 online non-credit Continuing Education Courses. Use Heritage Quest and Genealogy Connect to learn more about your ancestors.
These are only a few of the great resources that the Kansas State Library offers free to all Kansas residents.
Christmas Fiction
Now that Thanksgiving is over, we’re all busier than ever, stressed out over getting ready for the holidays. If you need a little help getting into the holiday spirit, these books may help.
 The Usual Santas : a collection of Soho Crime Christmas capers
From the Book Description
Eighteen delightful holiday stories by a colorful lineup of favorite Soho Crime authors. This captivating collection contains laughs aplenty, the most hardboiled of holiday noir, and heartwarming reminders of the spirit of the season.
Nine mall Santas must find the imposter among them. An elderly lady seeks peace from her murderously loud neighbors at Christmastime. A young woman receives a mysterious invitation to Christmas dinner with a stranger…These and other adventures in this delectable volume will whisk readers away to Christmases around the globe, from a Korean War POW camp to a Copenhagen refugee squat, from a palatial hotel in 1920s Bombay to a crumbling mansion in Havana.
 The Christmas blessing
by Melody Carlson.
From the Book Description
She’s Determined to give her baby a better life. Could a Christmas miracle make it possible?
When she receives the news in late 1944 that her baby’s father was shot down in the South Pacific, Amelia Richards loses hope. Jobless and broke, she has nowhere to turn for help but her infant’s paternal grandparents. The only problem is, they don’t know that she–or their grandson–exists.
When Amelia discovers that the family is wealthy and influential, dare she disclose the truth of her relationship with their son? Or could the celebration of the arrival of another unexpected baby nearly two thousand years ago be the answer to her dilemma?
 Twelve slays of Christmas
by Jacqueline Frost.
From the Book Description
When Holly White’s fiancé cancels their Christmas Eve wedding with less than two weeks to go, Holly heads home with a broken heart. Lucky for her, home in historic Mistletoe, Maine is magical during Christmastime―exactly what the doctor prescribed. Except her plan to drown her troubles in peppermints and snickerdoodles is upended when local grouch and president of the Mistletoe Historical Society Margaret Fenwick is bludgeoned and left in the sleigh display at Reindeer Games, Holly’s family tree farm.
When the murder weapon is revealed as one of the wooden stakes used to identify trees on the farm, Sheriff Evan Grey turns to Holly’s father, Bud, and the Reindeer Games staff. And it doesn’t help that Bud and the reindeer keeper were each seen arguing with Margaret just before her death. But Holly knows her father, and is determined to exonerate him. The jingle bells are ringing, the clock is ticking, and if Holly doesn’t watch out, she’ll end up on Santa’s naughty list.
 What’s happening this week at the Library
- Tuesday at 10 am Storytime – Listen to stories, sing songs, and do a craft. Storytimes are open to children of all ages.
- Thursday at 6 pm Storytime – If you can’t make it to the morning storytime on Tuesday, you can come to the evening Thursday one instead.
- Thursday at Noon Bunco – Join us for Bunco, a popular dice game. Seating is limited. Call 626-0180 or go to our website lmlibrary.org to signup.
- Friday at 1 pm Games and a Movie – Play fun board and card games at 1:00 p.m. followed by a fun Halloween movie at 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday at 2 pm Halloween Party – Make slime, play games, listen to spooky stories, and get candy! Fun for all ages.
 Lunch with the Authors
Join us for lunch with NY Times and USA Today best-selling authors Jodi Thomas and Linda Broday on Wednesday, November 8th at Noon. Attendance is limited, so sign up on our website, by phone 626-0180, or at the library.
Linda Broday is a bestselling author of historical western romance. She lives in the Texas, where she grew up watching TV westerns and wishing that the cowboy got to marry the pretty woman he fell in love with, instead of riding away into the sunset all by his lonesome.
Her newest book, an anthology “Christmas in a Cowboy’s Arms” was released in early October. Another book “To Marry a Texas Outlaw (Men of Legend)” will be released in early November.
Jodi Thomas is a bestselling author of over 40 novels and 13 short story collections. Her stories travel through the past and present days of Texas and draw readers from around the world. Jodi Thomas enjoys interacting with students at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, where she currently serves as Writer in Residence.
When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Thomas enjoys traveling with her husband, renovating a historic home, and “checking up” on their grown sons and four grandchildren.
Western Romances
In honor of our visiting authors, we’ve put together a display of western romances, including books written by Jodi Thomas and Linda Broday as well as other authors. Here are two.
 Indigo Lake: A Small-Town Texas Cowboy Romance (Ransom Canyon)
by Jodi Thomas
From the Book Description
Blade Hamilton is the last of his line. He’s never even heard of Crossroads, Texas, until he inherits land there. Riding in on his vintage Harley-Davidson, Blade finds a weathered ranch house, an empty prairie and a dark river that cuts a decisive path between the Hamiltons’ land and that of their estranged neighbors.
When Dakota helps a stranger on the roadside, she isn’t prepared for the charisma of the man on the motorbike—or for the last name he bears: Hamilton, of her family’s sworn enemies, representing all she’s been raised to loathe. The problem is, it looks like Blade is in town to stay, and there’s something about his wolf-gray eyes she just can’t ignore.
Lauren Brigman feels adrift. Unhappy in work and unlucky in love, she knows she ought to be striving for more, but she’s never truly at peace unless she’s at home in Crossroads. If the wider world can’t satisfy her, is home truly where her heart is?
 To Love a Texas Ranger (Men of Legend)
by Linda Broday
From the Book Description
Gravely injured on the trail of a notorious criminal, Texas Ranger Sam Legend boards a train bound for his family ranch to recuperate – only to find himself locked in battle to save a desperate woman on the run. Determined to rescue the beautiful Sierra, Sam recruits an unlikely ally. But can he trust the mysterious gunslinger to fight at his side?
Sam is shocked to discover his new ally is not only an outlaw, but his half-brother. Torn between loyalty to his job and love of his family, Sam goes reeling straight into Sierra’s arms. Yet just as the walls around his battered heart begin to crumble, Sierra is stolen away. Sam will risk anything to save her―his life, his badge, his very soul―knowing that some bonds are stronger than the law…and some legends were born to be told.
What’s happening this week at the Library
- Tuesday at Noon Library and Lunch – Bring your lunch and join in on the conversation. The September book discussion pick is “Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly.
- Tuesday at 10 am Storytime – This week daytime storytime is starting its new day and time. Listen to stories, sing songs, and do a craft. Storytimes are open to children of all ages.
- Thursday at 6 pm Storytime – If you can’t make it to the morning storytime on Tuesday, you can come to the evening Thursday one instead.
- Saturday at 1 pm Mexican Independence Day Party – Kids, celebrate Mexican Independence Day at the library. Make a craft, play games, and enjoy free food & drinks!
 Talk Like a Pirate
Ahoy mateys! Breakout your tricorne hat, eyepatch, and stuffed parrot. Next Tuesday, September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.
Be the best-spoken pirate on the block once you’ve taken advantage of the Pirate language course from Mango Languages. Mango Languages is offered free to Kansas residents through the State Library of Kansas. Just go to http://kslib.info/mango get started.
Besides learning to speak like a pirate, you can also choose from more than 70 other language courses. Have you always wanted to learn, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish? Maybe you’d like to brush up on your American Sign Language. Or maybe you’re drawn to something a bit more unusual. How about learning Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Scottish Gaelic, or Shakespearean English?
Pirate Books
Check out a few of these pirate themed books.
Pirate hunters : treasure, obsession, and the search for a legendary pirate ship
by Robert Kurson
Finding and identifying a pirate ship is the hardest thing to do under the sea. But two men—John Chatterton and John Mattera—are willing to risk everything to find the Golden Fleece, the ship of the infamous pirate Joseph Bannister. If Chatterton and Mattera succeed, they will make history—it will be just the second time ever that a pirate ship has been discovered and positively identified…But it’s only when they learn to think and act like pirates—like Bannister—that they become able to go where no pirate hunters have gone before.
Fast-paced and filled with suspense, fascinating characters, history, and adventure, Pirate Hunters is an unputdownable story that goes deep to discover truths and souls long believed lost.
The only pirate at the party
by Lindsey Stirling and Brooke Passey.
From the book description
Dancing electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling shares her unconventional journey in an inspiring memoir. A classically trained musician gone rogue, Lindsey is the epitome of independent, millennial defined success: after being voted off the set of America’s Got Talent, she went on to amass more than ten million social media fans, record two full-length albums, release multiple hits with billions of YouTube views, and tour sold-out venues across the world.
Golden Lion
by Wilbur Smith
From the book description
He saw his father executed in battle. He spent his youth avenging that death. And now Henry “Hal” Courtney is a man with a ship – and a family – of his own.
But fate had not finished with Hal. On a voyage among the eastern shore of Africa, a powerful enemy abducts his wife, the fearless warrior Judith… and with her Hal’s unborn child. Hal must track his nemesis across desert and ocean, through the slave markets of Zanzibar and the dangerous waters of the coast, in pursuit of the woman he loves, the child he sired, and the glorious destiny that awaits him.
Bursting with action and suspense, heroism and heartache, this unforgettable novel proves once more that Wilbur Smith is the world’s greatest adventure writer.
Pirate
by Clive Cussler
From the book description
Going on a treasure hung. X marks the spot. It’s a children’s rhyme for a reason. While wealth can be lost or stolen, and even found again – if husband-and-wife treasure hunters Sam and Remi Fargo are on the case – a long-forgotten map is just the stuff of bedtime stories. Like Long John Silver and Robin Hood.
But when Sam and Remi try the unthinkable – a relaxing vacation and a visit to a rare-book store – a very real dead body suggests what they hold in their hands is an actual, ink-on-paper guide to a historic fortune.
Buzzing with Sam and Remi Fargo’s chemistry and wit, Pirate reinvents the classic treasure hunt as only a Clive Cussler adventure can.
 What’s happening this week at the Library
- Tuesday at 6:30 pm Recipe Swap – Join us for Recipe Swap and share your favorite recipe with fellow patrons who share your passion — cooking! Every month is a different theme! This month’s theme is “Garden Fresh”.
- Thursday at 4:30 pm Lego Day – Kids, come use your imagination to build something great!
The Library will not have Storytime this week, because we are taking a short break after the flurry of activity that is Summer Reading. But daytime Storytimes will resume on Tuesday, September 12th at a new time, 10 am, and evening Storytimes will resume on Thursday the 14th at 6 pm.
We will be closed next Monday, September the 4th, for Labor Day.
Space Opera
Space Opera is a type science fiction that is full of adventure and drama. It occurs at least partly in space or involves space travel. I’ll show some of the books from our Space Opera book display here, but if you think these books look interesting, there are plenty more to check out in the display at the Library.
The collapsing empire
by John Scalzi
From the book description
Our universe is ruled by physics. Faster than light travel is impossible―until the discovery of The Flow, an extradimensional field available at certain points in space-time, which can take us to other planets around other stars.
Riding The Flow, humanity spreads to innumerable other worlds. Earth is forgotten. A new empire arises, the Interdependency, based on the doctrine that no one human outpost can survive without the others. It’s a hedge against interstellar war―and, for the empire’s rulers, a system of control.
The Flow is eternal―but it’s not static. Just as a river changes course, The Flow changes as well. In rare cases, entire worlds have been cut off from the rest of humanity. When it’s discovered that the entire Flow is moving, possibly separating all human worlds from one another forever, three individuals―a scientist, a starship captain, and the emperox of the Interdependency―must race against time to discover what, if anything, can be salvaged from an interstellar empire on the brink of collapse.
 Star wars: Thrawn
by Timothy Zahn
From the book description
One of the most cunning and ruthless warriors in the history of the Galactic Empire, Grand Admiral Thrawn is also one of the most captivating characters in the Star Wars universe…Grand Admiral Thrawn has earned an iconic status among the greatest Star Wars villains.
But Thrawn’s origins and the story of his rise in the Imperial ranks have remained mysterious. Now, in Star Wars: Thrawn, Timothy Zahn chronicles the fateful events that launched the blue-skinned, red-eyed master of military strategy and lethal warfare into the highest realms of power—and infamy.
 Slow bullets
by Alastair Reynolds
From the book description
The survival of civilization depends on one woman – and her archenemy.
A vast conflict between hundreds of worlds appears to be finally at an end. But even as the cease-fire takes effect, a conscripted soldier is captured by a renegade war criminal, and left for dead.
When Scur revives, she finds herself aboard a prisoner transport vessel where something has gone terribly wrong. The ship’s dying computer is waking its passengers, combatants from both sides of the war forced into hibernation. Their memories, embedded in bullets, are the only links to worlds they can’t find a a planet they don’t recognize
Now Scur must keep the peace. And when an old enemy reappears, the stakes are much higher than just her own life.
 The long way to a small, angry planet
by Becky Chambers.
From the book description
When Rosemary Harper joins the crew of the Wayfarer, she doesn’t expect much. The patched-up ship has seen better days, but it offers her everything she could possible want: a spot to call home, a chance to explore the far-off corners of the galaxy, and some distance from her past. And nothing could be further from what she’s known than the crew of the Wayfarer.
From Sissix, the exotic reptilian pilot, to Kizzy and Jenks, the chatty engineers who keep the ship running, to noble captain Ashby, life aboard is chaotic and crazy – exactly what Rosemary wants. That is until the crew is offered the job of a lifetime: tunneling wormholes through space to a distant planet. Sure they’ll earn enough money to live comfortably for years, but risking her life wasn’t part of the job description.
 Another Summer Reading is coming to an end. Kids and teens, be sure to turn in your completed reading logs by this Friday, July 28th to earn Summer Reading prizes. Adults, turn in your Summer Reading Bingo card with a bingo by Noon this Friday to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing.
What’s happening this week
- Tuesday at 11:15 am Birth to 3 yr-olds Storytime – We will have special storytimes for each age group during Summer Reading. Listen to stories, sing songs, and do a craft.
- Tuesday at 2 pm 7 to 11 yr-olds Storytime
- Tuesday at 6:30 pm Recipe Swap – Bring something you’ve made (along with the recipe) to share and enjoy everyone else’s creations! This month, we’re making cookout food.
- Thursday at 11:15 am 4 to 6 yr-olds Storytime
- Thursday at 4 pm Building Challenge – Kids Summer Reading – Complete a fun challenge using Legos, blocks, and other building materials!
- Friday at 1 pm Games and a Movie – Kids Summer Reading – Play fun board and card games at 1:00 p.m. followed by a movie at 2:00 p.m. about small blue creatures.
- Saturday at 1 pm End of Summer Reading Party Kids and Teens – Eat some ice cream and celebrate all that you’ve done during Summer Reading!
Lunches – Lunches are still being served, courtesy of USD 480’s Summer Food Service Program, from 11:30 to 12:30 in the Downstairs Activity Area at the Library. This program is open to all children and teens, ages 1-18. Lunches will continue to be served until August 11th. No registration or identification required. For more information, contact Connie Vogts at 620-604-1204.
Superhero Fiction and Nonfiction for Adults
Superheroes aren’t just for kids. Here are a few of the books about superheroes that we have for adults.
 Indigo: A Novel
by Charlaine Harris, Christopher, Jonathan Maberry, Kelley Armstrong, Kat Richardson, Seanan McGuire, Tim Lebbon, Cherie Priest, James A. Moore, and Mark Morris
From the book description
Investigative reporter Nora Hesper spends her nights cloaked in shadows. As Indigo, she’s become an urban myth, a brutal vigilante who can forge darkness into weapons and travel across the city by slipping from one patch of shadow to another. Her primary focus, both as Nora and as Indigo, has become a murderous criminal cult called the Children of Phonos. Children are being murdered in New York, and Nora is determined to make it stop, even if that means Indigo must eliminate every member. But in the aftermath of a bloody battle, a dying cultist makes claims that cause Indigo to question her own origin and memories.
In a brilliant collaboration by New York Times and critically acclaimed coauthors Charlaine Harris, Christopher Golden, Kelley Armstrong, Jonathan Maberry, Kat Richardson, Seanan McGuire, Tim Lebbon, Cherie Priest, James Moore, and Mark Morris join forces to bring you a crime-solving novel like you’ve never read before.
 Marvel Comics: The Untold Story
by Sean Howe
From the book description
An Unvarnished, unauthorized, behind-the-scenes account of one of the most dominant pop cultural forces in contemporary America
Operating out of a tiny office on Madison Avenue in the early 1960s, a struggling company called Marvel Comics presented a cast of brightly costumed characters distinguished by smart banter and compellingly human flaws. Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Captain America, the Incredible Hulk, the Avengers…quickly won children’s hearts and sparked imaginations.
Throughout this decades-long journey to becoming a multibillion-dollar enterprise, Marvel’s identity has continually shifted, careening between scrappy underdog and corporate behemoth.
For the first time, Marvel Comics reveals the outsized personalities behind the scenes. Drawing on more than one hundred original interviews with Marvel insiders then and now, Marvel Comics is a story of fertile imaginations, lifelong friendships, action-packed fistfights, reformed criminals, unlikely alliances, and third-act betrayals.
 Level Up Your Life: How to Unlock Adventure and Happiness by Becoming the Hero of Your Own Story
by Steve Kamb
From the book description
Jason Bourne. Indiana Jones. Steve Kamb? For the past 5 years, Steve Kamb has transformed himself from wanna-be daydreamer into a real-life superhero. Not only that but he actually turned his life into a gigantic video game, flying stunt planes in New Zealand, gambling in a tuxedo at the Casino de Monte-Carlo, and even finding Nemo on the Great Barrier Reef. To help him accomplish all of these goals, he built a system that allowed him to complete quests, take on boss battles, earn experience points, and literally level up his life. Best of all he did all of this without breaking the bank.
If you’re somebody who’s always dreamed of adventure and growth but can’t seem to leave your hobbit-hole, this book is for you.
In Level Up Your Life, you’ll meet more than a dozen of these members of The Rebellion: men and women, young and old, single and married, from all walks of life who have created superhero versions of themselves to live adventurously and happily. Adventure is out there, and the world needs more heroes. Will you heed the call?
 What’s happening this week
- Tuesday at 11:15 am Birth to 3 yr-olds Storytime – We will have special storytimes for each age group during Summer Reading. Listen to stories, sing songs, and do a craft.
- Tuesday at 2 pm 7 to 11 yr-olds Storytime
- Tuesday at 6:30 pm Recipe Swap – Join us for Recipe Swap and share your favorite recipe with fellow patrons who share your passion — cooking! Every month is a different theme! This month’s theme is “Picnic Foods”.
- Thursday at 11:15 am 4 to 6 yr-olds Storytime
- Thursday at Noon and again at 6 pm Bird Watching – Adult Summer Reading – Learn the ins and outs of effective bird watching in Southwest Kansas. We will meet at Blue Bonnet Park at the gazebo.
- Thursday at 4 pm Building Challenge – Kids Summer Reading – Complete a fun challenge using Legos, blocks, and other building materials!
 Friday at 1 pm Dan Dan the Magic Man – Summer Reading – If We Can Dream It, We Can Build It.” Dan’s magic show will guide you on a journey full of architecture and construction!
Lunches – This summer lunches will be served from 11:30 to 12:30 in the Downstairs Activity Area at the Library courtesy of USD 480’s Summer Food Service Program. This program is open to all children and teens, ages 1-18. No registration or identification required. For more information, contact Connie Vogts at 620-604-1204.
 New Children’s Area Complete
The renovation of the children’s area of the library is finished and it looks great. There are beautiful trees and rolling grassy mounds along the walls. Sarah Foreman came up with the forest themed concept and Mindy Allen painted the artwork on the walls. Cowboy’s Custom Cabinetry made the big tree in the corner storytime area and the tree bookshelf near the entrance of the children’s area.
 What’s happening this week
- Tuesday at 6:30 pm Recipe Swap – Join us for Recipe Swap and share your favorite recipe with fellow patrons who share your passion — cooking! Every month is a different theme! This month’s theme is “anything red, white and/or blue”.
- Tuesday at 6 pm Storytime – If you can’t make it to the morning storytime on Thursday, you can come to the evening Tuesday one instead.
- Thursday at 11:15 am Storytime – Listen to stories, sing songs, and do a craft. Storytimes are open to children of all ages.
We will be closed on Monday the 29th for Memorial Day.
Books in honor of Memorial Day
Speaking of Memorial Day, here are a few of the books the library has to offer that are written by or about the soldiers we honor.
 The Soldiers’ Story
by Ron Steinman
From the book description
This book is the first major oral history of the Vietnam War in the last twenty years. In these pages, veterans from the Marines, Army, Air Force, and Navy talk about the war, their roles in it, and how they came out the other side. These eyewitnesses to this historic conflict have opened their hearts and souls to us.
When the war ended, everyone wanted to forget it. It was not a good war to remember. But forgetting was impossible for the men who fought there. In The Soldiers’ Story these veterans speak their minds for the first time about the war and their roles in it.
 The blog of war : front-line dispatches from soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan
by Matthew Currier Burden
From the book description
In The Blog of War, Burden presents selections from some of the best of the military blogs, the purest account of the many voices of this war. This is the first real-time history of a war, a history written even as the war continues. It offers a glimpse into the full range of military experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq, from the decision to enlist right through to homecoming. There are powerful stories of soldiers in combat, touching reflections on helping local victims of terror and war, pulse-racing accounts of med-evac units and hospitals, and heartbreaking chronicles of spouses who must cope when a loved one has paid the ultimate price.
The Blog of War provides an uncensored, intimate, and authentic version of life in the war zone. Dozens of voices come together in a wartime choir that conveys better than any second-hand account possibly can what it is like to serve on the front lines.
 The long walk : a story of war and the life that follows
by Brian Castner
From the Book Description
Brian Castner served three tours of duty in the Middle East, two of them in Iraq as the commander of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit in Iraq. Days and nights he and his team would venture forth in heavily armed convoys from their Forward Operating Base to engage in the nerve-racking yet strangely exhilarating work of either disarming the deadly improvised explosive devices that had been discovered or picking up the pieces when the alert came too late.
But The Long Walk is not just about the battle itself. It is also an unflinching portrayal of the toll war exacts on the men and women who are fighting it. When Castner returned home to his wife and family, he began a struggle with a no less insidious foe, and unshakable feeling of fear and confusion and survivor’s guilt that he terms the Crazy. The Long Walk will hook you long after its final gripping page has been turned.
 Love stories of World War II
by Larry King
Both poignant and inspiring, these are the moving stories of men and women who met amid the chaos of the most devastating war in history and became the loves of one another’s lives.
They met in many remarkable ways, some in the briefest of chance encounters, and their love endured heart-rending ordeals of long separation and the constant threat that a husband or lover might not return. As these couples reflect on the profound experience of the war, the stories they most like to tell are of the deep bonds they forged during that tumultuous time, bonds so strong that they lasted a lifetime.
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