Albert Lea Public Library

Soul Survivor

Soul Survivor: The Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot by Andrea Leininger and Bruce Leininger is the startling and amazing story of their son - who they believe to be a reincarnated plane pilot from World War II.

The story starts when little James is two years old and begins to have nightmares where he wakes up shouting "Plane on fire! Little man can't get out!" He also begins to recount details of the plane and the cockpit, details that would be beyond a small child's knowledge and more.

His father then begins the arduous task of researching - could his son really be recalling memories from a past life?

Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 a.m.

 Daylight saving time, in most of the United States, ends at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 1. Contrary to popular belief, no federal rule mandates that U.S. states or territories observe daylight saving time. Most U.S. residents set their clocks one hour forward in spring and one hour back in fall. But people in Hawaii and most of Arizona—along with the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands—will do nothing. Those locales never deviate from standard time within their particular time zones.  The federal law first passed in 1918 and, thanks to a 2005 revision that went into practice in 2007, now stipulates areas that observe daylight saving time must switch back to standard time at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November.

Cooking for Teens

Sam Stern's cookbooks offer up tasty recipes with clear instructions, vibrant pictures and fun patter by the author. The teen Brit instructs on on typical fare and more obscure (at least to Americans) foods such as Croque-Monsieur. (Psst, that's a hot ham and cheese sandwich.)

• Real Food, Real Fast
• Cooking Up a Storm: The Teen Survival Cookbook

New Cookbook Arrivals

Cookbook fanatics alert!  Two new, exciting cookbooks on the shelves of the Albert Lea Public Library.  I blog cookbooks often because I enjoy them immensely, sometimes reading them like a novel.  Taste of Home has published so many cookbooks, but their newest one, Taste of Home Cookies, is phenomenal.  623 mouthwatering recipes of "crispy, chewy, soft, gooey, dipped, dunking cookies from classic favorites to sensational all-new sweets".  Also, the Deen brothers, Jamie and Bobby, have a new, tantalizing cookbook, The Deen Brothers Take it Easy, full of quick and affordable meals the whole family will love.   

Snow in October Have You Thinking of Christmas?

People generally don't think of Christmas planning until November - but with the sudden rash of snow in October might just have you in a jolly mood. (If not, maybe this book will help you find a happy place.) 2009 Christmas with Southern Living features recipes, entertaining and decorating ideas and gift ideas.

Once a Witch (YA)

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.

Remembering Woodstock, 1969

1969, in the  little rural town of Bethel, New York, half a million people from all walks of life gathered for three days to experience peace and music....their expectations were met beyond their wildest dreams.  40 years later, an anniversary DVD edition of those three days, "Woodstock, three days of peace and music ", has been produced and is available at the Albert Lea Public Library. Relive the sounds of Joan Baez, Joe Crocker, Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin,The Who, Santana, Jefferson Airplane.  In addition, we have a new book, Woodstock; three days that rocked the world, by Mike Evans and Paul Kingsbury, full of history and pictorial works. 

Did You Get Your 8 Hours?

Sleep can be a fleeting thing. Some common problems to interrupt with sleep are aches and pains, insomnia and poor stress management.

To get you counting zzz's again, you might try:

• Relax Your Neck, Liberate Your Shoulders: The Ultimate Exercise Program for Tension Relief by Eric Franklin
• Sleep Deep: Simple Techniques for Beating Insomnia by Karen Williamson
• The Insomnia Solution: The Natural, Drug-free Way to a Good Night's Sleep by Michael Krugman

And, if it's weird dreams interrupting your sleep, maybe you might try searching for a dream interpretation book in the 154.6 section of the Information Library.

A Workout for your Brain

Our sense of sight is so amazing.  But did you know that while our eyes do the seeing, it's actually our brains that are doing the work to make sense of what we observe? 
Optical illusions are proof of just that- they use your eyes to form puzzles for your brain. 
Take a look at these optical illusions: they're fun and it's a brain workout.

 

Or checkout some of these books from the Non-Fiction Library;
Art of Optical Illusions by Al Seckel
Walter Wicks Optical Tricks  
Another fun way to use your eyesight is the I Spy or Can You See What I See?  books from the Children's Library.
 

Great New Biographies at The Albert Lea Public Library

Do you enjoy reading about other people's lives?  At the library, we have a wonderful section of biographies, which has become even better with the addition of some new titles.  A few of them are:

• American Rebel: The Life of Clint Eastwood by Marc Eliot
• Haunted Life: The Life and Times of Stephen King by Lisa Rogalk
• Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters by Jeffrey Zaslow and Chesley Sullenberger ( Airplane pilot who safety executed an emergency landing on the Hudson River)
• Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman (Player who left his 3.6 million-dollar NFL contract to enlist in the U.S. Army, only to die two years later in Afghanistan) by Jon Krakauer 

Children's Programs this Week

Storytime- Mondays & Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. 
Join Patty to hear stories and sing songs about spiders.  We will also be making a spider headband and have a snack.  Families are welcome.
L.A.F. (Library Afternoon Fun)- Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. 
April and the kids will be making sand art creations and play JENGA.  Kids K-5th grade.
Movie Day- Wednesdays @ 3:30 p.m. 
We will be showing a Cats & Dogs.  Must have at least five people in attendance to show.  All ages are welcome and popcorn is provided.
Wii Adventure-Thursday the 22nd @ 4-6 p.m.  Grades 4-8, register in the Children's Room. 
Night-time Storytime-  Thursday @ 6:30 p.m.
Same fun- just later.

There is no fee for any of these programs. 

How about a cookie?

Sourthern Living's Best Loved Cookies: 50 Melt in Your Mouth Southern Morsels is a delectable and knee-weakening collection of gooey, sweet, and unexpected cookies. With full-page photos and clearly written recipes, Best Loved Cookies will tempt the home baker to make something new.

Particularly mouth-watering:

• Death by Caramel Squares
• Peanut Butter Toffee Turtle Cookies

Your baking adventure can be even more fun - bake with your kids, big and little, and enjoy the the sweetness of time spent together.

Non-fiction Book Club to Meet

The Non-Fiction Book Club will meet on Tuesday, October 20 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, This Republic of Suffering : death and the American Civil War by Drew Gilpin Faust.

Quilts to Drool Over

One of the most vivid quilting design books certainly has to be Kaffe Fassett's Country Garden Quilts. Jewel-toned and enchanting, this book will have seasoned quilters eager to begin a new project and beginner quilters ready to take on a challenge.

Children's Programs this Week

Storytime- Mondays & Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. 
Join Patty to hear stories and sing songs about cats.  We will also be making a neat craft to take home and have a snack. 
Families are welcome.
Art Zones Grand Opening-  View locally created children's artwork on Monday, Oct. 12th from 6-7 p.m.
L.A.F. (Library Afternoon Fun)- Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. 
April and the kids will be painting hacky sacks and play some fun games.  
Kids K-5th grade.
Movie Day- Wednesdays @ 3:30 p.m. 
We will be showing a Space Buddies.  Must have at least five people in attendance to show. 
All ages welcome- popcorn provided.
BINGO- Thursday @ 3 p.m.
Night-time Storytime-  Thursday @ 6:30 p.m.
Same fun- just later.
Wild Things Party-  Friday @ 3:00 p.m.  Games, contests, crafts and snacks!

There is no fee and no need to register for any of these programs.