Happy money

Happy Money by Elizabeth Dunn & Michael Norton

 Happy Money” (332.024 Dunn) authors Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton, money itself doesn’t make you happy- but you can work on spending it in a different way, with happiness the by-product.  They have solid research to support their thesis.  

According to “

 

If you buy things, they quickly lose their luster-buy experience (a trip or an adventure).  Treating yourself to a latte or dessert everyday doesn’t lead to more satisfaction; having something less frequently allows you to savor the moment -and be happy.  You can’t buy time but you can use your time differently to feel happy-exercising, reading and spending time with friends can increase your happiness more than watching that new TV. (One of the biggest time stealers is long commutes. You’ll be happier with a smaller house and a shorter distance to work, a hard thing to achieve in the pricey Bay Area.)  If you pay for something upfront rather than afterwards, you have all the pleasure of anticipating it-and you’re happier as a result. If you give some of your money to others, (a charity or a gift for a friend) you’ll be more satisfied than if you spent it all on yourself. Happiness is just around the corner…

What we are reading... October 2013

Call For the Dead by John Le Carre

The installation of the Berlin Wall segment at the Library made me think of John Le Carre’s Cold War thrillers.  I searched out Le Carre’s first book, Call for the Dead (FICTION LE CARRE), which introduced the character of George Smiley, all-too-human spymaster.  Smiley interviews civil servant Samuel Fennan as a possible security leak; Smiley decides there is no reason to continue the investigation and assures Fennan the matter is closed.  Fennan then kills himself, leaving a note that his career is ruined. Smiley doesn’t believe it. His search for answers leads to more deaths and betrayals before the grim conclusion.  

The Four Agreements

How can we grow as individuals?  In Four Agreements (299.792 Ruiz), Don Miguel Ruiz expands on the ancient wisdom of the Toltecs of Mexico. He outlines the steps one can take along their suggested path for personal growth: stay true to your word, don’t take anything personally, never assume and always do your best.

The Light in the Ruins

Chris Bohjalian’s Light in the Ruins (FICTION BOHJALIAN) demonstrates that privilege is no protection for the Rosati family in war-torn Italy. As World War II progresses, the German-Italian alliance becomes a German occupation; by war’s end, the family is broken and the villa is destroyed.  Years later, a murderer is targeting the remaining family members.  Florentine investigator  Serafina  Bettini believes the reason for the attacks must go back to the war.  As the case evolves, her war experiences- and her link to the villa-come to light. 

Beat those dog days of August at MVPL

Join us tonight for the Modern kitchen garden: Eat what you grow on Wednesday, August 14, 6-7 pm. in the Community Room. Presenter Patricia Larenas will delve into the basics of planning and planting your garden. There will be a raffle of edible plants to entice you further.  To read her blog, go to: http://www.urbanartichoke.com.

Consider lunchtime yoga with Jennifer Dinalo on Thursday, August 15 and August 22 12:30-1:30 pm in the Community Room.

Celebrate the end of adult summer reading with a Downton Abbey Tea in Pioneer Park, Saturday August 17, 2:30-4 pm.  A string quartet and dancers in period attire hoofing in the Edwardian style will provide a lovely backdrop for light refreshments.  If you’re feeling Downton-inspired, dress up accordingly.  There will be a prize for best hat. 

Combine the tea with a stop at the Friends of the Library Book Sale Saturday, August 17, 10 am-4pm or drop by on Sunday, August 18, 10 am-4pm to sweep up more good reads and media.  

If you have excess produce from your garden, visit the Crop swap, Saturday, August 24, 1-3 pm in the Community Room.  Share/trade with others whose gardens outstripped their ability to consume it. 

Tired after all these activities?   Try Jennifer Dinalo’s introduction to Chair yoga (for those favoring a very gentle approach) on Tuesday August 27, 12-1 pm in  the Community Room.

What We're Reading Now

 

My bookstore: writers celebrate their favorite place to browse, read and shop (381.45 My)

"My bookstore” is a physically attractive book, with rough-cut edges to increase the reader’s  tactile experience.  Eighty-four writers in all pay tribute to bookstores  and  the  booksellers  who encouraged  their writing and introduced them to the reading public as well as other writers.   Pen and ink drawings highlight each entry, usually with a quote from either writer or bookseller on the experience of loving, owning reading and selling books.  It’s a delight.

Uncommon reader (FICTION  BENNETT)

Some things are never supposed to change, especially when you’re the Queen; tradition, ritual and duty are paramount to one’s life and one’s country.  But what if, after going along for decades, a whole new world opens up?  

Chasing after her corgis, she happens upon the Bookmobile during its visit to Buckingham Palace. 

She starts with fiction by Ivy Compton-Burnett, then moves on Nancy Mitford and Charles Dickens. Over time, she ventures into nonfiction with J. R  Ackerley’s “My dog Tulip”(she’s mad about dogs)  as well as Philip Larkin’s poetry.  She becomes immersed in reading and finds that duty isn’t quite so compelling any longer. Why officiate at yet another state function when one could read a book instead?  Why indeed-Alan Bennett’s novel of reading and its consequences is laugh-out-loud funny. 

June is Audiobook Month- consider these titles for your listening pleasure.

“Astray” by Emma Donoghue (CD SS DONOGHUE)

Donoghue used her own immigrant-emigrant experience, delving into old newspapers and archives to create outstanding historical fiction. Disease, bad luck and circumstance combine to set her characters adrift. A prostitute, a con man, a mother trying to reconnect with her child-all these stories and more come to life with the expert voices of five different narrators.

“Beautiful mystery” by Louise Penny (CD M PENNY)

At a Canadian monastery famous for its rendition of Gregorian chant, someone commits murder. Chief Inspector Gamache and his second-in-command Jean-Guy Beauvoir investigate the evil underlying the silence.  Ralph Cosham’s excellent narration highlights the different personalities of the policemen as they search for the murderer in the monastic community.

“Bring up the bodies” by Hilary Mantel (CD FICTION MANTEL)

Anne Boleyn has failed to produce a male heir for Henry VIII. Thomas Cromwell, Henry’s man, is all too ready to arrange for Anne’s exit, while Jane Seymour eyes Anne’s place as Henry’s queen.  Simon Vance does a superb job with Mantel’s text, fully expressing Cromwell’s complexities.  The sequel to “Wolf Hall,” it is the second in a planned Cromwell trilogy.

“Fault in our stars” by John Green (Y CD FICTION GREEN)

Two teenagers with cancer meet at a cancer support group and fall in love.  It has laugh-out-loud moments as well as tremendous sadness, and narrator Kate Rudd catches each moment perfectly. This wonderful story is for listeners of all ages-it will break your heart.

Cheese, glorious cheese

How do we get from a block of cheese to this beautiful Mac& Cheese dish ?   

Laura Werlin's Mac & Cheese

Author Laura Werlin provided the real deal on Wednesday, May 29, when she brought her macaroni and cheese casserole with smoked blue, hazelnuts and leeks for the audience to taste in the Community Room.

We were all primed for it-the program started with a video of Werlin making a salami and grilled cheese sandwich with proper technique (grated cheese rather than sliced, olive oil on the olive bread-not in the pan- for an additional flavor of Italy.)

She gave us her background in cheese-she loves exploring cheese and her passion clearly came across in the presentation.  She brought samples of three cheeses:  Melodie, a goat cheese from California; Comte, a French-made cow’s milk cheese and Lamb Chopper, a sheep’s milk cheese made in Holland to the specifications of a California company.  All in all, it was a delicious component to Adult Summer Reading.

Looking forward

There’s another scrumptious activity scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, when Barb Stuckey speaks on her book Taste: surprising stories and science about why food tastes so good. Join us in the Community Room at 7 pm for another taste treat. The author will also have copies of her book for sale and signing. 

Cheese in all its glory

I must admit I know very little about cheese production but I know I like eating it. I grew up on Velveeta (not cheese, but a processed product which definitely appealed to children and mothers on a budget). So, where to begin?

Last night author Laura Werlin came to the library to speak about cheese, as part of our "Reading Is So Delicious" Adult Summer Reading series. She brought samples of cheese and a delicious mac 'n cheese featuring smoked blue cheese from Oregon, leeks, and hazelnuts. If you enjoyed this program or you missed it and would like to indulge in some tasty cheesy recipes, please check out the following books available from MVPL:

In Laura Werlin’s cheese essentials (641.673 Werlin), she recommends keeping a cheese diary. In addition, eat a little bit every day (different kinds) so that your taste memory will be able to distinguish one kind from another. Her book covers buying, storing and cooking with cheeses (recipes included) as well.   

 

 

  

In Grilled cheese, please!(641.84 Werlin), Werlin expands on grating vs. slicing, salted vs. unsalted butter and the correct proportion of bread to cheese-all things to consider before preparing and devouring your masterpiece.

 

Other authors/titles to consider:

In Cheese: a connoisseur’s guide to the world’s best (641.673 McCalman), authors Max McCalman and David Gibbons provide a visual delight to any exploration of cheese. Color pictures, attractive font and suggestions for pairing with wines or similar cheeses to taste make for a mouth-watering experience.  

 

 

  

Author Liz Thorpe lacked direction, but then she found cheese. She started working the counter at Murray’s Cheese in NYC, ended up greatly expanding their operation and became the first French-certified cheese master in America. 

In Cheese chronicles(641.673 Thorpe), Thorpe delves into her favorite American cheeses and their backstories-all the backbreaking work to create artisanal cheese and the satisfaction of being part of a pioneering movement for a truly American product.

 

In Cheese primer(641.673 Jenkins), cheese expert Steven Jenkins covers the world, going into the history of cheeses in specific regions, tips about serving them and his own experience with them.  He knows what he’s talking about; it gives good background to any cheese tasting/cooking you may want to do.