John Adams

I first heard about this HBO seven-part movie series featuring Paul Giamatti from facebook. Unfortunately, it was so popular at our library that I had to keep watch on the returns in order to check it out myself and I work at the library. It was worth the wait! This was quite a series. It chronicled most of John Adam’s political life and his role in founding our country. The depiction of his life and role was fascinating. So much so that my husband and I watched a dvd from it nearly every night, wanting to know what would happen next.

I learned more about John Adams than I ever had before. I was amazed at his tenacity and perseverance that led to us having independence from Britain. Granted, he was a stubborn, opinionated person. However, it was these qualities that made him who he was…a leader and ultimately, Vice-President and President of the United States. I was surprised to learn how much his wife affected his decisions. He sought her advice time after time despite his being a college graduate and she having no formal education.

An amazing love story and a riveting historical account of the early years of our country’s existence and unforgettable glimpses into the lives and roles of other important historical figures of that same time period-Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and many others. Those who view this series will not be disappointed.

Kathy L. Stutzman
Public Relations Manager

The Lovely Bones

First of all let me say that this book isn't about happy endings. Sadly most stories in life don’t have happy endings and this is what the author, Alice Sebold was trying to tell us. The Lovely Bones is about how the Salmon’s family’s world was turned upside down one winter night when their eldest daughter, Susie, disappears on her way home from school.
With next-to-nothing clues to go on, her father becomes obsessed with the neighbor who he thinks did it. The mother drowns her sorrow into escaping from the family. Lindsey, the sister, has to endure the stigma of being the murdered girl's sister and Buck, the baby, has to endure everyone's loss as well as his. Not only does Susie's death affect her family, it affects two of the people she knew in life, her first love and a friend she barely knew.

Written from Susie's point of view as she observes life on earth from heaven, it is written in a very touching way. This book should have come with a warning on the front cover; "Kleenexes are necessary while reading this book." It is haunting, and the sorrow lingers long after the last page has been turned. This novel is about how people deal with grief and how they move on in spite of the death of a loved one. It is about letting go and remembering. It is about life and death. In spite of its premises, it really isn't a book about revenge. It is about life.

I would definitely recommend you read The Lovely Bones, more so now since the movie based on the novel hits theaters on December 11, 2009.

Searching for Bobby Fischer

Two thumbs up for this movie. Yes, I realize it is an older one. Buy hey, cheese and wine get better with age and this video is no exception.

I had purposely ignored this dvd for years despite others saying it was a good movie. It just seemed like it would be boring. After all, Bobby Fischer? Chess? However, this week was one of those weeks and I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did. Based on a true story, it is an eye opener on the world of chess and a demonstration of true sportsmanship. This is a story about finding one's character and courage in the face of mounting pressure and high expectations. Although Bobby Fischer’s story and name are weaved in and out of the movie, it is about prodigy chess player, Josh Waitzkin, a young man who even now is the highest place chess player under 18 in the country. You get to experience the world of chess behind the scenes and what a world it is.

It has a great cast of actors such as Laurence Fishburn, Joan Allen, Joe Mantegna, Ben Kingsley, David Paymer, and William H. Macy.

Intensely fascinating, thought-provoking, and heartwarming aptly describe this gripping movie. You will be fascinated by the chess world, aghast at the motivations of some, warmed by the ultimate decision of Josh’s parents and thrilled by the end result. You will find yourself rooting and cheering for Josh as the movie progresses.

This is a must see! You won’t be disappointed.



Kathy L. Stutzman
Community Relations Assistant

The Girl With the Crooked Nose

If you like true story murder tales, you will find this book interesting. Written by Ted Botha, this book follows Frank Bender as he goes from being a photographer to creating plaster busts of unidentified murder victims. His uncanny ability to "see" a face through a blank skull, leads to identifications of many missing people, and arrest of the murderers.
This informative book also has photos detailing his procedures and the finished busts with photos of the actual victim. It is uncanny the ability that he has to do this "artwork."
A mix of true murder and creative crime solving, you'll enjoy this book from beginning to end!

“Alive a must read for anyone interested in learning what being human really means”

Time has not diminished the drama of the tale of the Uruguayan rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes Mountains on October 12, 1972. Of the forty-five people on the plane, thirty-five initially survived but only sixteen came down from the mountain 72 days later with a saga of survival that is still remembered 37 years later.

Piers Paul Read unfolds a tale that is gripping in the telling, as enthralling as it is almost unbelievable. Masterfully written, it is a well-balanced narrative that takes great pains to ground the experience of the survivors deep into your mind. I must admit there were a few parts I skipped over due to the fact I was a little bit squeamish (yes can you believe that?) but nonetheless I felt this story would somehow make a difference in my life so I continued on and I am so glad I did.

What most of the world remembers about this story is that after their food supply had run out and realizing that their days were numbered and if they didn’t have sustenance they would never get off that mountain, they all made a decision. Digging deep into their conservative, religious souls, they found a way to justify what they were about to do. Their fallen comrades would now provide the means of their nourishment. At first some refused but all eventually succumbed to this only means of survival.

As horrifying as it was, there is an upbeat message in this book about the unshakable will to live, about the utility of human solidarity in the face of death (and some 30 years later all these men are still very close with one another), and the mystical communion between the survivors and their dead comrades who saved their lives by providing the nourishment to survive.

A movie was made about these events, which is on DVD, included in the special features is a documentary about the 16 survivors 25 years later. One of the survivors, Nando Parrado, (one of the two who actually hiked through the perilous mountains to find help) has written about his experiences on the mountain the memoir is called Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home. This is an excellent read as well due to the fact you get to actually hear from one of the survivors and what was going on in his mind during those 72 grueling days.

The means that these men took to let the world know that indeed they were still ALIVE will astound even the most jaded of readers. It is an account of human endurance that is thought provoking and compelling, a quest to reconcile physical needs with the spiritual. It is, above all a testament to life.

The Paper Architecture

I just happened to see the book on display at the Library and was instantly intrigued by it. Filled with fascinating architecture origami from easy to advanced levels, it drew me in. I was awestruck by the 20 different projects ranging from a simple pyramid to the Tower Bridge in London. One of the staff and I just oohed and aahed over the examples shown. Soooo, I thought I would try one. I went for an easy project. Not wanting to waste card stock, I tried the process initially on plain paper. Not too hard. It looked decent too. Emboldened, I tried it on card stock. That’s when it got difficult. I had a terrible time attempting to fold the valley folds without crumpling the paper.

I think anyone with a mathematical mind or someone loving origami (or even a curious person like me) would absolutely love attempting the projects. Working with card stock can be a little tricky and I found the project to be much simpler on plain 8.5 x 11 paper. They look just as good as good also, just not as sturdy. An origami project from this would be a great activity on a rainy day or even a bad winter day.

Review by Kathy Stutzman Community Relations Assistant

True Stories of C.S.I.

I have to admit..I love anything to do with crime, especially True Crime. Although this book has nothing to do with the C.S.I. television show, it discusses true crimes which some of the C.S.I shows were based on.

Written by Katherine Ramsland, this book portrays behind-the-scene insights into stories that made the real headlines. The insights into the methods used to solve crimes in this book intrigued me. Although slightly gruesome at times, it really makes me think about the depravity that is in this world.

If you, like me, enjoy books on criminals and crimes, I think you will find this one interesting. The chapters are short, and they really hold your attention. It is a fast and easy read. And it will probably make you shake your head and ask "Why?"