Sara West's blog

This post brought to you by the letter L

If you've been surfing Google recently, you've probably seen Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Oscar hanging out at the top of your screen.  And if you're like me, you've spent this week reminiscing about the fun you had watching Sesame Street as a kid.  I remember trying to eat dessert like Cookie Monster and carrying around my Big Bird doll everywhere I went.  And when the theme song started, I plopped down in front of the TV and didn't move until the show ended.  I still have fond memories of Big Bird, Oscar, Bert, Ernie and the whole bunch.  
 
As a kid, I thought the show was all about fun.  I had no clue I was learning counting, colors,

Famous TV Chefs

I don't cook much.  My oven still looks like it came off the showroom floor.  And when Hurricane Ike rolled around, nothing much changed for me food-wise.  Peanut butter and crackers?  No problem.  Soup or beans?  I have it covered with my trusty can-opener.

When I have electricity, I'm a microwaving master.  I have amazing button-pushing skills.  But cooking something?  Actually throwing things together?  Measuring, chopping, preheating, baking?  No.  That would be disastrous.

Is It Autumn Yet?

WeatherYes, it's officially autumn, although you wouldn't know it by the weather we've had lately.  It's still hot and humid, but not for long.  I've heard a cold front is going to sweep through in the next day or so.  After hearing the news, I celebrated.  I also began to wonder how weather actually works.  I realized I talk about the weather all the time, yet I don't really know how to predict it or how it forms.  What better way to learn more than to find some books at the library? 

Do you also wonder about the basics of weather and beyond?  Find out more with these titles:

Wait and Read

Running errands always means you'll be waiting in line somewhere. Standing in line easily becomes a chore itself, but if you have a book handy, it’s no longer something to be endured. Instead, waiting becomes a time to enjoy a good book, if only for a few minutes. 

I like to bring books that are easy to jump in and out of when I have to wait. My favorite “waiting books” are trivia and fact books because you can stop on any page and begin reading.

 Do you bring a book with you when you know you’ll be waiting in long lines?  What books do you enjoy reading as you wait?

 

Here are some titles I've carried with me during quick trips:

Music on the Brain

Think of your favorite song.  Can you hear those first few notes? Can you hear the melody, the pitch, the rhythm? Does it make you want to sing along or tap your foot to the beat?  Does it conjure up a certain emotion or a long-lost memory? 

When we hear a good song, it triggers something deep, something basic within us. Music cuts to the core of who we are. It reminds us of our past and lets us enjoy the present.

But music is also scientific and mathematical. It's possible to track its effects on the brain. If you have ever wondered how music affects us on a biological level, try these titles:

Forgive Us Our Trespasses

Amish GraceCharles Roberts is angry and frustrated at himself - and at God.  One crisp October morning, he decides to do something about it.  He walks into an Amish schoolhouse in Pennsylvania carrying a large bag of ammunition.

He wants revenge on God, so he takes hostages.  A standoff ensues when the police arrive.  A short while later, Roberts opens fire, killing five of the children and critically wounding five others before taking his own life.

A Little Texas History

Historical Roadside Marker

You've seen them all over the roads of Texas. Those rectangular aluminum markers standing sentry beside highways, country roads, and tourist destinations. A treasury of Texas history is engraved upon them. They recount the history of important buildings, influential people, dramatic events, and local legends.

The state of Texas began placing the markers in the late 1930s. The modern program, currently run by the Texas Historical Commission, began in 1962. Today, you can find more than 13,000 markers throughout the state.

Glory on the Gridiron

It's hard to tell summer is soon coming to an end. The trees are still green, the weather is still hot, and the pool still beckons. Regardless, we know autumn is fast approaching because that great American tradition is back again - football. Yes, dust off those shoulder pads, shoes, and helmets for another exciting season. Or maybe you'd rather pull up a chair next to the TV.  Whether you're a participant or a fan, these books will help you get into the spirit of the game. 

 

Learn more at the library

If you have been following the news lately, you know several hot topics are currently being discussed and debated. If you find yourself wanting to know more about an issue before deciding where you stand, try some titles from the Opposing Viewpoint series

Quicksand Escape 101

If you are a fan of television survival shows (such as Man vs. Wild or Survivorman) and you don't mind a little humor thrown in with your survival instructions, try a book from The Worst-Case Scenario series by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht. These handy pocket-size guides offer simple survival techniques for a diverse set of situations, such as wrestling down an alligator or fleeing from a volcanic erruption.

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