Last week Tharpo the pirate visited Chico Library’s summer reading program. Library Director Michelle Slonaker said he entertained guests with silly antics, juggling and magic tricks.

Above, Cassie Byers, Taryn Lunsford and Jessica Byers assist Tharpo with with one of his tricks. Of course, kids also turned in their reading logs for prizes and checked out more books.

Which summer reading program are you going to visit this week?

Photo submitted by Michelle Slonaker

I felt compelled to begin listing every book I’ve ever read, but I decided to start my list with the book I’m reading right now. Otherwise, it would turn into a chore, and the purpose of this is “fun.”

I’m hoping to explore the site more in the weeks ahead, but in the meantime, tell me about your favorite features.

It will give you the details for all the summer reading programs in the county, as well as contact information for each library.

Keep those kiddos reading this summer!

Admittedly, I have only read the introduction so far, mainly due to ridiculous time constraints, not for a lack of interest. But I think this book will be thought-provoking and will generate a good discussion. It definitely warrants serious highlighting.

Here’s a gem from the intro:

“The universe is not short on wake-up calls. We’re just quick to hit the snooze button.”

The author’s website says: “It gives readers a bird’s eye view of what it was like for a young man to serve in World War II away from home and nearer to threats of death. More importantly, this memoir gives tribute to the many known and unsung heroes of the war, those men who gave up their lives to save those of others.”

The book is filled with Wilkins’ memories and recollections of his time during the war and that of his growing family. It also features a generous number of photographs and is dedicated to his wife, Jimmie.

Look for a story on Wilkins in the Wise County Messenger near Memorial Day.

But tonight is Friends’ Night! If you’re a Friend of the Decatur Library, you can shop tonight from 6 to 8. If you’re not already a Friend, you can sign up tonight.

***

On a sidenote:

This weekend I unpacked several boxes of books. They had been in storage while we had some remodeling work done on the house. The kids and I had great fun digging through the boxes and finding our favorites.

But I took the most delight in hearing my kindergartner read her favorites to herself! When we packed the books up, she was just starting to read, and in the meantime, she’s become pretty proficient.

It was a sweet surprise to hear her little voice reading page after page.

]]> http://www.wcmessenger.com/blogs/shelfspace/?feed=rss2&p=677 0 http://www.wcmessenger.com/blogs/shelfspace/?p=672 http://www.wcmessenger.com/blogs/shelfspace/?p=672#comments Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:09:07 +0000 Kristen http://www.wcmessenger.com/blogs/shelfspace/?p=672 Next week Decatur Librarian Cecilia Barham, Decatur Youth Services Librarian Katie Morris and Newark Library Director Megan Suffling will attend Library Legislative Day to discuss proposed budget cuts with state legislators.

They will also give the legislators letters and notes written by patrons expressing the importance of the libraries in Wise County. If you would like to submit a note, visit your local library before the end of the day Monday and fill out a card with your name, address and what the library means to you.

The proposed cuts are severe, so if you appreciate your library, let your voice be heard. Read the Feb. 13 edition of the Messenger for more information about how these cuts will affect the libraries in Wise County.

You can also learn more about the issues on the Texas Library Association website.

I was thinking of classic love stories this morning and planned a post on romantic books that would make great Valentine gifts.

But I threw all that out the window when I came across this: ROMANCE BY YOU

The website offers a number of romance novels that you can customize with names, physical characteristics and places. Now, these are not even close to being literary works. Think Harlequin with a dash of humor, but with just a click of your mouse, you and your special someone can star in your own romance! They will even put a personal cover on the book.

Titles include things like “Pirates of Desire,” “Vampire Kisses,” “ER Fever,” “Western Rendezvous,” “Starstruck” and “Fierce Moon.” The titles alone made me laugh, and the website says the books have a good dose of humor to balance the mush. Each novel is  160 to 200 pages, and under the frequently asked questions, you’ll find guidance as to which books are steamier than others.

If you order a book by Friday, they say you’ll receive it in time for Valentine’s Day. If nothing else, you have to go check out the excerpts. A section of the website lets you enter the names of the hero and heroine, and it pulls up a sample of the story so you can see how it will read. The result is hysterical.

I haven’t purchased a book, but here’s the “sample” I created from “Western Rendezvous”:

Intro

In the 1800s, Kristen Tribe is the savvy, stunning saloon owner who, on the advice of her best friend Sally, dares to give love one more chance. When Shane Terwiliger rides into town on the rails of the new railroad, his smile steals our heroine’s heart – but his holster is loaded with a secret that could blast away her livelihood!

Can Kristen trust a man who may ultimately destroy her? Will Shane choose business or pleasure before his secret is revealed? Saddle up for love, passion and humor!

Chapter 1

Kristen had to admit he was a rather attractive man, neatly attired in denim and leather. She scanned his athletic frame and stopped at an arresting pair of blue eyes peeking out beneath a rather large cowboy hat, set atop salt and pepper hair. The stranger approached the bar, wearing a smoldering smile across a handsomely rugged jaw.
“What can I do for you?” she said coolly.
“What’s your specialty,” he flirted, leaning against the bar, flashing his big blues.
“Sarcasm,” was the sharp reply. “Care for a double?” Kristen had spent the morning cleaning the saloon’s eaves troughs and was feeling filthy, embarrassed and annoyed all at the same time. She was in no mood for flirtation.
Put in his place, Shane cleared his throat and introduced himself as Shane Terwiliger, a foreman with the Grand Humber railroad. “Ma’am, just call me Shane,” he said, trying to make amends.
“Well the guy you’re looking for? The hotel manager? That’s me. I’m also the owner, Kristen Tribe,” she said coolly, giving a little and extending her hand.

Note: The bold words note the personalization. If you purchase a book, the personalized words are not bold.

On this snowy day, I’m tempted to personalize every sample because they’re so funny, but I’ll probably pull myself away to work on other projects. But if you order one of these, you must report back here to tell us about it!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

This Texas-style blizzard, i.e. ice storm, has everyone cooped up indoors. Let’s face it: We’re not equipped, nor do we have the clothing for 17-degree days.

So in between loads of laundry, board games, movies and hopefully, reading, many of us are doing a little online shopping. I will say that most of mine has been online browsing, but check out this wonderfully awesome book purse I found on etsy!

I’m a huge Nancy Drew fan, so of course, I found it incredibly cute. I didn’t buy one, but if I decide to blow $39.99 (cringe) on myself, this might be my go-to item.

The seller: retrograndma

This is me testing the mic, whistling, waving my arms in the air … trying desperately to get your attention.

Our local libraries need our help – NOW. The preliminary state budget for 2012-2013 proposes a 99 percent cut in library funding and a 93 percent cut to library resource sharing programs. If this budget is approved, every library in the county will be affected. The TexShare databases will not be available, the entire interlibrary loan program will be eliminated and valuable regional library systems that provide support to community libraries will no longer exist.

Librarians agree these budget cuts would set libraries back an entire generation.

They are asking that you do two things:

1. Visit your local library and fill out a card with your name, address and why the library is important to you before Feb. 14. These cards will be delivered by librarians Cecilia Barham and Megan Suffling to Rep. Phil King and Sen. Craig Estes on Library Legislative Day, Feb. 16.

2. Write letters explaining why libraries are important to our communities and send them to King at P.O. Box 2910 in Austin, TX 78768 and Estes at P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station Austin, TX 78711.

Letters are welcome from all ages, so gather the family around the kitchen table this weekend and detail the reasons you love your library. For more information, read “Libraries face major cuts in services” in the Sunday, Jan. 30, edition of the Wise County Messenger.