Albert Lea Public Library

The Forgotten Arts and Crafts

Simpler yesterdays? You be the judge: The Forgotten Arts and Crafts by John Seymour.

Perhaps you'll be tempted to try your hand at spinning, cheesemaking or salting and pickling food.

Out Gathering Wool? Why Not Try....

Fiber Gathering: Knit, Crochet, Spin and Dye More Than 25 Projects Inspired by America's Festivals by Joanne Seiff is full of fiber crafts that will have your head spinning (and weaving) . . . fibers, that is.

The rediscovery of old-world crafts will be a delightful break from the every day hustle and bustle.

Children's Party Ideas

December is here and it's time to start planning those holiday parties.  Are you a parent in need of some creative party ideas for kids? 

Party Game Central,  Kaboose, and Amazing Moms are great resources on partyplanning, games, craft ideas, recipes and more to host an awesome get-together.

There are great books on party planning in the Non-Fiction Library as well. 
Family Fun Parties- 793.21 Coo
Creative Children's Parties- 793.2 Bot
Great Parties for Kids-793.21 Fyk

Doodle Bites by Polly Dunbar

Doodle Bites is about Doodle...who loves to bite! But, her biting gets her in trouble with her friend Trumpty the elephant. A good story to use to talk about biting with preschoolers - and also very fun to read!

Panini Express: 70 Delicious Recipes, Hot Off the Press

There is something extra special about a nice, hot sandwich, in particular the Italian panini. The panini is full of flavor and easier to make than it looks. Try Panini Express by Daniel Leader and you won't be dissappointed.

Love Janet Evanovich? Why Not Try Tori Carrington!

Tori Carrington's (a guy-and-gal fiction writing duo) Sofie Metropolis series is full of humor and romance. Sofie is a Greek-American thirty-something woman who's changed careers - from waitress to fledgling P.I. (well, almost P. I.). Janet Evanovich fans will be happy to add this series to their list of must reads as the humor is laugh-out-loud and the romantic-interests will get your pulse racing.

And, just like the Plum series, the secondary characters are full of personality and pizzaz - never a dull moment!

• Sofie Metropolis
• Dirty Laundry
• Foul Play
• Working Stiff

Tori Carrington also pens Harliquin Blaze romance novels if mystery isn't your bag.

(A fifth book in the series will be released late spring of 2010.)

Library to Close for Thanksgiving

In observance of Thanksgiving, the Albert Lea Public Library will be closed on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27.  We will close at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, be closed Thursday and Friday, be open on Saturday, November 28 from 10:00-5:00 and closed Sunday.  Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.

Slow Down and Relax....

Treasuring the Gift of Tea Time: Tea Parties for Mothers, Daughters, Sisters and Friends by Julie Loree Peterson is a quaint read with tasty recipes and suggestions for serving tea and tidbits. Why not try making crumpets or scones?

Treasuring the Gift of Tea Time will be found at 641.53 Pet.

Enjoy!

Hilary Swank - Actress

Hilary Swank is the third youngest woman who has won two Oscars for "best performance by an actress in a leading role." She is chameleon-like in her ability to shift and display different personas.

Watch her in:

• Insomnia (co-starring Robin Williams and Al Pacino)
• Iron Jawed Angels
• Million Dollar Baby (co-starring Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman)
• The Karate Kid III
• The Black Dahlia
• Freedom Writers
• The Reaping
• P.S. I Love You
• The Affair of the Necklace

When she was 16, she and her mother moved to L. A. so she could pursue her acting career. For a while, they were so impoverished they had to live out of their car.

Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home

Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home makes it easier to cook by what's available seasonally as the book progresses from Spring through Winter. The recipes also appear to be less complex than other's of Stewart's - to truly encourage you to dine at home. You'll enjoy feasting on the photos and will be inspired to try something new.

Thanksgiving is One Week Away - How About Some Recipe Ideas?

Your friends and family may ask for some of the classics (just the way grandma made them) year after year. But there is always room for a new idea or two. Why not try:

• Thanksgiving 101: Celebrate America's Favorite Holiday with America's Thanksgiving Expert

by Rick Rodgers (641.568 Rod)

Thanksgiving Entertaining by Lou Papas (641.568 Pap)

You might also enjoy looking at our Christmas cook books as well.

Dodsworth in New York by Tim Egan

Dodsworth in New York by Tim Egan finds us going with Dodsworth on his big adventure and beyond . . . but he's followed and perturbed by a crazy, kookie duck!

FBI Girl: How I Learned to Crack My Father's Code

FBI Girl: How I Learned to Crack My Father's Code by Maura Conlon-McIver is about a grown daugter's struggle to understand her uncommunicative father as she grows up in the 6o's and 70's in a large Irish-American family. Reviewers frequently remark that her prose is poignant yet often funny.

Non-fiction Book Club to meet

The Non-Fiction Book Club will meet on Tuesday, November 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Information Library Computer Lab.  Join the group, led by Library Director Peggy Havener, as they discuss this month's selection, From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act: a history of the fight for free speech in Americaby Christopher Finan.

Whip It by Shauna Cross

Bliss Cavender is stuck in Bodeen, Texas and longs to break away from the pick-up trucks, country music and everything average and everyday. She finds this with rollerderby in Austin, Texas. Tattoos, boy bands and more await Bliss on her journey to self-discovery. Whip It is sure to be a break from the ordinary.