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'memoirs'

Nov 07

Book Notes 11/7/2022

Posted to Campbell Unclassified on November 7, 2022 at 9:32 AM by Genesis Gaule

Blog Book Notes

11/7/2022


Art in Memoriam: Join artist Kim Forness Wilson Tuesday, November 15 @5:30 pm to create an art collage in memory of a loved one . More information...


Ready for Launch  by Scott Kelly

An Astronaut's Lessons for Success on Earth // Using ten life-changing moments from his path to space, Astronaut Scott Kelly shares his advice for mastering fear and failure, and turning our daily struggles into rocket fuel for success.

629.450 KELLY


A Poison like No Other by Matt Simon

How Microplastics Corrupted Our Planet and Our Bodies // Matt Simon follows the intrepid scientists who travel to the ends of the earth and the bottom of the ocean to understand the consequences of our dependence on plastic.

Coming soon!


Solito by Javier Zamora

A Memoir // As gripping as it is moving, this book not only provides an immediate and intimate account of a treacherous and near-impossible journey of his migration from El Salvador to the United States at the age of nine, but also the miraculous kindness and love delivered at the most unexpected moments.

305.9069 ZAMORA


Bravo Company by Ben Kesling

An Afghanistan Deployment and Its Aftermath // Journalist and combat veteran Ben Kesling tells the story of the war in Afghanistan through the eyes of the men of one unit, part of a combat-hardened parachute infantry regiment in the 82nd Airborne Division.

Coming soon!


If you need help accessing any of these titles or using front door pickup, email or call us and we will be happy to assist you!

Jul 05

Book Notes 7/4/2022

Posted to Campbell Unclassified on July 5, 2022 at 9:56 AM by Genesis Gaule

Blog Book Notes

7/4/2022


We're bringing the convenience of the library to you--Stop by our Pop-Up Library at local farmer's markets this summer! More information...


The Genome Defense Jorge L. Contreras

Inside the Epic Legal Battle to Determine Who Owns Your DNA // The gripping true story of a Supreme Court civil rights battle to prevent biotech companies from owning the very thing that makes us who we are--our DNA.

346.7304 CONTRERAS


Cramm This Book Olivia Seltzer

So You Know WTF Is Going On in the World Today // A guide to the recent history of the world that's led to where we are today, so Gen Z readers can have context for the news they see and hear every day.

306 SELTZER


Smile by Sarah Ruhl

national geograhpic photography

The Story of a Face // In this poignant and deeply intimate memoir, Sarah Ruhl chronicles her experience with Bell's palsy after giving birth to twins. // Also in Large Print

812.6 RUHL


Eat for Energy by Ari Whitten & Alex Leaf M.S.

How to Beat Fatigue, Supercharge Your Mitochondria, and Unlock All-Day Energy // Ari Whitten takes you on a deep dive of our cellular energy centers, exploring the biggest stressors that affect our mitochondria and the holistic workings of our body systems.

641.59477 HERCULES


If you need help accessing any of these titles or using front door pickup, email or call us and we will be happy to assist you!

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Mar 17

Get to Know Each Other by Charlotte Helgeson

Posted to Campbell Unclassified on March 17, 2022 at 3:16 PM by Genesis Gaule

Curiosity is probably my strongest characteristic. It shows up most strongly when I meet new people. Sometimes, I meet them in person at the library or when I’m traveling. Even more often, I meet new people in books.

There is never the awkward stumbling through an initial conversation. No wondering if I’m saying something offensive or confusing while reading. The author introduces me to someone new and away I go into finding out all about them.

warriorsMy curiosity leads me to ask questions, even when reading. “Why would he do that?,” will send me back through the pages to catch what I must have missed. Fictional characters’ actions are often well explained in a book. Then there are the historical books which sometimes give one view of a moment in our past. I especially enjoy histories of groups of people like Warriors in Uniform: the Legacy of American Indian Heroism by Herman Viola. It had personal stories and the history that put their stories into context. I enjoyed a lot of the pictures also.

Memoirs are a real person’s retelling of an event or life experience through an emotional lens. Will I learn about the person? Absolutely. Some personal stories are told through important messages they want to share as in Every Body Yoga by Jessamyn Stanley.

How many times have you asked a question like “Is Sam your oldest brother or cousin?” That’s done when in the presence of another person. No matter how many times we visit with that individual, we can’t keep those details straight. A good amount of credit needs to go to people who can remember all the details about a person they meet like Sherlock Holmes does or Detective Vale in The Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman. Yes, that one’s fiction but I’m connected to all the characters. I also ask why about actions or viewpoints and sometimes get answers from living and breathing people though this can be much easier in a book. When searching for an answer in a book, there is no consequence for rereading a page to find the answer like there might be by asking, “What’s your name again?”.

noorAnother way to get to know people who I can’t find in our community is to read their folklore or stories based on them. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri includes the epics of India as the background. Stories set in a real location in a different time, brings the people of those parts of the world to life. Noor by Nnedi Okorafor is another science fiction novel that uses African culture as a backdrop. In it, I met Fulani herdsman which I knew nothing about before reading this fictional story.

Our Library also has some great children’s biographical picture books. The stories are true but placed in a story format. We even have graphical biographies which are wonderful fun to read.

black leapardWith so many options, you could make new acquaintances every day at the library. It’s OK if you don’t remember the title or the author or the name of the character. Ask one of us and we’ll help you locate it. We love to be asked, “What is the name of the book that has the colorful cover with eyes looking out at me?” We’ll start asking you questions and very likely find your book. “Is it about a tracker?”

“Yes,” you say and we answer with the title or walk you over to find the book. By the way, that is Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James which gives us a look into African history and mythology through a fictional tale.

Curiosity is great. Keep asking questions and discovering who else is out there.