3-23-09 Branching Out!

It’s almost spring. It might not feel like it yet, but its in the air and will be here before we know it. In honor of the coming season, perhaps its time to take a look at what you’re reading and perhaps try something new! If you’re anything like me, you stick to the old tried and true and rarely decide to venture outside your comfort zone. Recently, my husband and my mother have convinced me that non-fiction is really not all that bad and I should try a few. And the ones I read, I really enjoyed! Now it takes me even longer at the bookstore, but I’m far more likely to find something I enjoy.

A month ago, the column was on science fiction and fantasy novels but this column will be concentrating on a few subjects that you have probably never even thought of reading. Well, perhaps its time you did!

Some of the books you might want to take a look at are:

Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street by Michael Davis
Sesame Street began airing on November 10, 1969, and since then has touched millions of children. This is the story BEHIND the amazing show, of the people involved, and the sometimes crazy things that happened during production. Sesame Street has taught so many over the years, and not just their ABCs. The show taught cooperation, creativity, self-respect, and tolerance to several generations and it continues to touch children today.

Riding Dirty on I-95 by Nikki Turner
Whether you like it or not, hip-hop culture is fast becoming more popular day by day and has become integrated into the lives of American youth. This book centers around a young woman’s difficult upbringing, involving the murder of her father, the neglect of her mother, and years in foster care. Those formative occurrences led her to become a drug runner in the inner city, though eventually she fought her way free to a better life. The book is gritty and vivid, a testament to unbroken spirits.

True to the Game by Teri Woods
Another popular hip-hop author, Woods has written a vicious love story, involving a girl from the projects and a millionaire drug dealer. The plot of the book comes from the struggle of holding on to ill-gotten gains: the drugs, the man, the car, and the house. And both partners learn there’s a price to the game they’re playing. Once you’re in, you stay. There’s no way out.

Too Fat to Fish by Artie Lange
If you are a fan of the Howard Stern show, you know exactly who Artie Lange is. If you don’t listen to the show, you still might enjoy this book. Lange became a permanent member of Stern’s program in 2001 and has continued to delight the audience with his humor. Using material gleaned from his own life, from his weight struggles to issues with his mother, Lange turns everyday happenings into comedic genius. He has worked as a cab-driver, a longshoreman, and he has toured with the USO and he uses all of his experiences to write a laugh-out-loud narrative.

Behind the Yellow Tape: On the Road with Some of American’s Hardest Working Crime Scene Investigators by Jarrett Hallcox
If you enjoy CSI or other crime drama shows that involve forensic investigation, you will enjoy this book. Eight stories of true crimes with gripping text and photographs show what life and work are really like in crime scene investigations. The crimes range from Puget Sound to the Alamo and are sure to grip tight to any avid crime reader.

Kosher Sutra: 8 Sacred Secrets for Reigniting Desire and Restoring Passion for Life by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
A Rabbi wrote a sex book? That was my first thought when I ordered this, but after reading inside the cover, I think Rabbi Boteach is on to something. Also the counselor on a successful show on TLC (Shalom in the Home), Rabbi Boteach investigates how advertising and the rest of the media have so inundated us with sex that we’ve become over-exposed, leading to lack of mystery and boredom within our intimate relationships. The style is easy to read and engaging, very friendly and frank, and the stories of real-life couples and their struggles will be informative for any reader.

Come in and check out one of these books, or something else that you have been chomping at the bit to read. Just as a reminder, if you know a book has come out, but you don’t see it on our shelves, let us know! We can get it for you through interlibrary loan, or we can place a Hold for you so you’ll be on the list. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Meinders Community Library is open Monday – Thursday from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. If you want to place one of these books on hold, please don’t hesitate to call us at 825-6714.