Springfield Library Corner
February 27, 2003

ELEANOR'S CHOICE: FUN AND USEFUL WEBSITES FOR THIS WEEK

Tasting Wine at http://www.tasting-wine.com/

Black History Hotlist at http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/BHM/bh_hotlist.html

International High I.Q. Society at http://www.highiqsociety.org/

Popular Baby Names at http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/

The World of Maps at http://www.maps.ethz.ch/

World War II Timeline at http://history.acusd.edu/gen/WW2Timeline/start.html

If you have an old book whose value you have always wondered about, there is a site sponsored by the State Library of Pennsylvania that can help. Located at http://www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/cwp/view.asp?a=13&Q=37747, it can give you clues about how to describe your book to a dealer or a buyer, and will give you important information about industry standards; for example, is the book in “as new” condition, “fine,” “very good,” etc. This site won’t tell you how much your item is worth, but will show you how to describe it using industry standards, and also lists reference books on other helpful web sites.

JOY'S PICKS

Do you have a sweet tooth? Tim Richardson’s “Sweets: History of Candy” is an informative collection of useful information. This is interesting stuff for the historian, scientist, or cultural enthusiast. The author attacks the subject matter in all these areas and leaves no questions unanswered.

If ice cream is your dessert of choice be sure to check out “A Month of Sundaes” by Michael Turback. Learn how the sundae was first invented. You’ll be amazed at all the different varieties of this concoction. The accompanying anecdotes are delightful. 150 recipes add to this book’s charm.

“An American Cycling Odyssey, 1887” is Kevin J. Hayes’ account of twenty-one year old George Nellis’ bicycle trip from New York to San Francisco. The seventy-two day odyssey on a fifty-two inch, high wheeled bicycle set a record and provided Nellis with a lifetime of experiences. The young man’s adventures make for fascinating reading.

Life is filled with disasters. Bill Marken has written the ultimate repair manual with his “How to Fix Just About Everything.” This book has more information than you would expect. The author covers an unbelievable myriad of topics from “dealing with a stuck wine cork” to “removing a ring that’s stuck on a finger.” This is an invaluable resource for everyday problems.

If your child is fed up with winter let him check out Jane Barclay’s “Going on a Journey to the Sea.” This is a charming story of a brother and sister’s first visit to the ocean. Their independent adventure is an adorable rhyming tale with delightfully whimsical illustrations by Doris Barrette

LIBRARIAN'S PICKS OF THE WEEK

“Sleepyhead” by Mark Billingham. This author’s take on the mystery/detective story is just plain fascinating. Detective Inspector Tom Thorne used to belong to the Serious Crime Group, but now he is part of Operation Backhand, a group of police who investigate high-profile crimes.

And there is no doubt that the crimes he has been called on to investigate are high-profile: someone is getting into women’s homes, giving them drugs and giving them fatal strokes. Thorne is like a pit bull when he’s on a case; he sinks his teeth into the evidence and the possible perpetrator and never lets go. And when the murderer leaves him a message on his car, the case becomes very personal. For Thorne realizes that the killer is after something else, something unheard of and terrible to contemplate, and Thorne is the only man who can catch him before it happens again.

Also New and Recommended: “Who Are You, Linda Condrick?” by Patricia Carlon; “The Terrain of Paradise” by Barbara Haynie; “Flash Flood” by Susan Slater; “The Master Butchers Singing Club” by Louise Erdrich; “Seven Dials” by Anne Perry; “The Secret Hour” by Luanne Rice; “Whispers at Midnight” by Karen Robards; “Liberty” by Stephen Coonts; and “The Best Revenge” by Stephen White.

For the kids: “What Did You Do Today?” by Kerry Arquette; “Charlotte’s Rose” by A.E. Cannon; “Dim Sum for Everyone!” by Grace Lin; “Andrew’s Bright Blue T-Shirt” by Jessica Wollman; “Firefighter Frank” by Monica Wellington; “North Pole South Pole” by Nancy Smiler; “Why Do Horses Neigh?” by Joan Holub; “Babies” by Deborah Heligiman; and “Mammoth” by Patrick O’Brien.

The new Mobil Travel Guides for 2003 have also arrived, so if you’re planning a trip in the U.S., check them out for the latest information.