More Novel Destinations Readers' Reviews!

Bikini Season by Sheila Roberts
Bikini Season is a fun and cute book about friendship.  A group of friends join together to diet together.  Everyone learns something about themselves along the way. Amid the funny situations they get into, they learn more about life, love, and friendship.  A great summer read! -- Dorris

Betrayal of Trust by J. A. Jance
J. A. Jance's new installment in the J. P. Beaumont series is an excellent police procedural that covers a multitude of dangers facing teens today, including snuff films, cyber bullying, predatorial advisors, non-functioning parents, and suicide.  There is just enough humor sprinkled through the story to lighten its message, and the sub-plot where Beau actually discovers who his father was is a nice twist and proof that these characters continue to surprise and entertain.  It's also refreshing to experience investigative work through the eyes of someone in their sixties, bad knees and all.

Tough love and courage reign in the end, families reunite as a gift for the dying, and reconstructive knee surgery looms as a starting point for the next time Jance treats her readers to more in the lives of these favorites.  It is a great story and scores 5/5 in my book!  -- Diane

Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts
As usual, Nora Roberts writes great attention-getting stories with attractive, assertive characters that are too good to be real.  Rowan fights fires by jumping out of airplanes.  She is beautiful and strong.  She can fight men bigger than she is.  She can't cook and I liked how she got upset when she learned that her dad was dating.  Her shortcomings made her more human.  They guy is also perfect. . . strong, good looking, and owns his own arcade business.  As always in Nora Roberts books, the couple solves the case and ends up with each other.  --Monica

Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez
Julia Alvarez explores the interrelated stories of a boy and his farm in Vermont and a Mexican family's hardships in the U.S.  Alvarez challenges readers to see the whole picture of Mexican migrant families, especially those torn between family members who are legal and illegal.  Though the issues are difficult and a reality that some care not to explore, the story is heartwarming in its narration through the voices of two budding adolescents.  I recommend reading this book.  -- Colleen

The Bible Jesus Read by Philip Yancey
Reading this book helped me understand the Old Testament better, especially the Psalms.  It shows, in simple everyday language, how the Old Testament relates to the present.  People avoid the Old Testament because they feel it's not relevant in today's society and/or it's hard to understand.  This book helps the reader gain a better understanding of these books.  --Joyce

Novel Destinations Loot Available!

Summer library program shirts and book bags are available to everyone while supplies last!  Even if you didn't sign up for the summer program, you can get a t-shirt or book bag with the "Novel Destinations" adult theme imprint.

Friends' Boutique Sale Prices:

T-shirt       $6.00

Book Bag   $2.00

September 2011 Events

Tiny Tots Story Time -- Tuesdays @ 10 a.m. Join us for songs, stories, and play time for the littlest ones at the library, for children 18 months to 3 years old and their caregivers. This program runs from September 6 through November 22.

Preschool Story Time -- Fridays @ 10 a.m.
Children 3 to 5 and their favorite adults are invited to the library for an hour of stories, songs, interactive play and activities to help jumpstart their literacy skills each week. This program runs from September 9 through November 18, with no meeting October 28.

LEGO Club -- 1st and 3rd Monday @ 4 p.m.
LEGO fans age 6 and older are invited to build, create, and have fun with the library's LEGO collection. LEGOs help build literacy skills for kids by encouraging storytelling, problem solving, and much, much more. This program runs September 19 through December 19.

NEW! Exploration Art Studio -- 1st Tuesday @ 3:30 p.m.
Geared for preschool through 1st graders, this open art studio program will provide supplies and project ideas to engage young children in creative exploration. Each month will explore multiple sensory experiences and give kids a chance to make art in a variety of ways. This is a chance for kids to get messy, so dress appropriately! Program-specific details are listed below.

Teen Book Club (High School only) -- Thursday, September 1 @ 3:30 p.m.
Join us as we read and discuss Kim Harrington's mystery, Clarity. Sixteen-year-old Clare Fern taps into her psychic roots to help the police solve a crime in Cape Cod at the height of tourist season. The twist? Clare's brother might be the prime suspect. Books available for check out at the library.

Library Board Meeting – Thursday, September 1 @ 4 p.m.
Library Board meetings are open to the public.

Exploration Art Studio -- Tuesday, September 6 @ 3:30 p.m.
Preschool through 1st graders are invited to join us for an hour of creative play. We'll make sticky collages, paint with glue, and explore food painting. Dress to get messy.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover – Thursday, September 8 @ 6 p.m.
Wear your pajamas and slippers and bring your favorite stuffed animal for a special evening story time, then leave your stuffed animal overnight so they can have their own library adventure. Pick them up Friday morning and discover the adventures your toys had while you were sleeping.

Book Discussion - Thursday, September 15 @ 7 p.m.
The Race by Richard North Patterson
Corey Grace, a handsome and charismatic senator, is plunged by an act of terrorism into a fierce presidential primary battle with the favorite of the party establishment and a magnetic leader of the Christian right. A decorated Gulf War Air Force pilot known for speaking his mind, Grace’s reputation for voting his own conscience rather than the party line has earned him a reputation as a maverick and an iconoclast. But Grace is still haunted by a tragic mistake buried deep in his past, and now his integrity will be put to the test in the most brutal of political contests. Books are available at the library.

Wrapped Bracelets & Cool Magnets (Tweens age 8-12) – Wed., September 21 @ 3:30 p.m.
Make two cool back-to-school projects with us. We'll make wrapped bracelets for you to wear and we'll make fun marble magnets for your lockers. All materials are provided, so just bring your creativity.

Fall Gardening: Putting Your Garden to Bed - Thursday, September 22 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Horticulturist Chrissy Regester from the UW Extension returns, this time to talk about what needs to be done to your garden in the fall. She’ll offer tips on how to clean your garden, setting it right for the winter, and laying the groundwork for next year’s garden.

Teen Book Club (High school only) - Thursday, September 22 @ 3:30 p.m.
Love zombies? Then you're going to want to join us as we read and discuss Jonathan Maberry's Rot and Ruin. In a post-apocalyptic world where fences and border guards protect the few people left after the zombies take over, 15-year-old Benny decides he must follow in his older brother's footsteps and become a bounty hunter. Books available for check out at the library. High school only, please.

Intermediate Knitting (2 sessions) - Thursdays, September 22 and 29 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Learn intarsia, a knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colors. Experienced knitters of all ages are welcome. This is not a class for beginners! Participants in this class must be comfortable with knitting, purling, casting on and binding off. We’ll be making a simple leaf-patterned scarf. A supply list will be furnished upon registration.

NEW! Book-to-Movie Film Series: Stardust - Saturday, September 24 @ 11:30 a.m.
Book by Neil Gaiman; film rated PG-13, 127 minutes.
A young man named Tristran tries to win the heart of Victoria by retrieving a magical fallen star. His journey leads him to a forbidden land where he discovers that others are also seeking the star. The four sons of the king and an evil witch battle Tristran for the prize in this wondrous fantasy world. Copies of the book are available for check-out at the library. Bring your lunch to the movie and we'll supply a beverage and dessert.

School's Back Lock-In (Teens 12 and older) -- Friday, September 30 from 7 to 10 p.m.
Imagine having the run of the library, where you can be as loud as you want to and hang out with your friends. We'll have food, music, video gaming on the big screen, a book cover redesign contest, cool crafts, and much, much more. We'll also give you the chance to give Justin Bieber a little makeover, too.

The library will be closed September 5 for Memorial Day.

School year library hours will begin September 6:
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Computers shut down ½ hour before closing.