Shelf Talk: Your Seattle Public Library

The librarians and staff of your Seattle Public Library share their favorite books, movies, music and more, together with tips for research and resources to make your life easier and more interesting.

Monthly Archives: November 2010

Nov 19, 2010

World Toilet Day: Don’t flush this holiday away!

Most holidays are for certain subsets of people, based on religion, the country you live in or your personal interests. There is, however, one holiday that is for everyone: World Toilet Day. I first became aware of World Toilet Day through author Dave Barry, who shares my penchant for potty humor. I thought the concept was both brilliant and hysterical. Over time, however, I learned that this holiday is actually quite serious. The main purpose of World Toilet Day is to increase awareness of the lack of sanitation in countries around the world.

But we can have fun while raising awareness! WaterAid, an international organization, contacted local children’s performer and author Charlie (The Noiseguy) Williams and asked him to create an animated cartoon for children. Super Toilet, and his sidekicks Driplette and Soapy Hero, were born.

The cartoon was such a hit that this year WaterAid asked Charlie to host a World Toilet Day event in the Puget Sound area. On World Toilet Day, Saturday, November 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a veritable extravaganza of sanitation and toilet-related activities will be happening in Issaquah.

PictureThe Seattle Public Library didn’t want to be left out, however. On Sunday, November 21, we will be celebrating World Toilet Day at the Central Library downtown from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.! Join us for a puppet show, TP-ing a librarian, a presentation on the history of toilets — and learn to make flushing noises, play games and more. This will be a day of riotous fun for all ages, while remembering that many people around the world do not have access to toilets and basic sanitation.

In preparation for World Toilet Day, I’d like to share with you my favorite books about toilets and, um, toilet-based activities. Check these out!

*Yes, I have a favorite poop story of all time. Ask me at the event, and I can tell you my favorite stories about underpants, pee, and farting, too.

**Don’t worry. I am potty trained.

~ Shannon, Central Library

Nov 02, 2010

Craving funny mysteries

Since the last book in The Spellman Files series has been written, released and read, I long to discover it again. Since I can’t, I gave myself a quest to find read-a-likes to pacify all those who got hooked on the life of Izzie Spellman and her crazy PI family.
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In Super in the City by Daphne Uviller, Zephyr Zimmerman takes over as the super of her parent’s Greenwich Village apartment after the previous super was taken away in handcuffs. Although plunging toilets isn’t Zephyr’s dream job she will find that her vivid imagination won’t come close to what’s up ahead. A hidden staircase, a handsome exterminator, and plenty of eccentric tenants will keep her busy while solving a mystery. A sequel is dated for spring 2011.

If Chrissy McMullen thought psychoanalyzing Los Angeleans was going to be easier then slinging drinks as a cocktail waitress, then she is in for a surprise. Her football star client “Bomber” Bomstad has an idea of how Chrissy can help him with his problems. Once “Bomber” unzips his pants Chrissy knows she’s in for a fight, but that goes wrong when he drops dead. Dark and handsome cop Jack Rivera enters her office and is sure that Chrissy is guilty of murder — or misconduct of some sort. In Unzipped by Lois Greiman, one of six in a series, Chrissy McMullen gets into trouble to prove him wrong.

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell, who has also mastered the art of footnotes, gives us a roller coaster ride both brutal and entertaining. His main character, Dr. Peter Brown, is working as an intern in a Manhattan hospital and his daily encounters of blood and mayhem don’t even come close to his nightmare past as a hit man for the mob. Pietro “Bearclaw” Brnwna went into Witness Protection, changed his name, went to medical school and thought he’d left his past behind. But when patient Nicholas LoBrutto recognizes Dr. Brown, he asks him to help him beat the reaper –or the mob will be told where to find him.

Three Plums in One by Janet Evanovich, the first three books in the Stephanie Plum series, had everything I wanted. Stephanie goes from an unemployed lingerie buyer to the tough world of bounty hunting for her cousin, Vinnie. I enjoyed Stephanie’s world with her whipper-snapper of a grandmother, her nagging mother, her lack of a reliable vehicle due to being broke, and the dark and rugged cop, Joe Morelli, who has charmed more than just her heart . One for the Money is being filmed for the big screen starring Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum. ~ Kara, Ballard Branch

Nov 01, 2010

Global Reading Challenge books announced for 2011

Here they are, the 10 awesome children’s novels selected to be part of our 2011 Global Reading Challenge:

Nearly 50 public schools in Seattle participate in the Global Reading Challenge. Each of the schools creates teams of fourth- and fifth-grade readers who compete in a “quiz bowl” game. Readers play the Global Reading game at the school level, then against other Seattle schools, and the winning Seattle team goes on to face (via videoconference) teams from schools in British Columbia. (That’s right — Canada. It’s international, thus the “Global” in Global Reading Challenge.)

Let the reading games begin!
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