Most Popular Books: April 2010

The twenty most checked-out books at the library during the month of April. Click on titles to view and reserve these books in the catalog. Click on More about the book for reviews and summaries.

1.		The Help by Kathryn Stockett More about the book
2.		U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton More about the book
3.		The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan More about the book
4.		The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney More about the book
5.		Wiggle by Doreen Cronin, art by Scott Menchin More about the book
6.		Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells More about the book
7.		I, Alex Cross: A Novel by James Patterson More about the book
8.		If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff More about the book
9.		If You Give a Pig a Party by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond More about the book
10.		Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney More about the book
11.		The Lost Symbol: A Novel by Dan Brown More about the book
12.		Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert More about the book
13.		Dog Days by Jeff Kinney More about the book
14.		The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson More about the book
15.		Twilight by Stephenie Meyer More about the book
16.		Worst Case: A Novel by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge More about the book
17.		House Rules: A Novel by Jodi Picoult More about the book
18.		Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal by Jeff Kinney More about the book
19.		If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff More about the book
20.		Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich More about the book

10 Great Books About Moms

Just in time for mother's day: ten great books about moms and motherhood.

Fiction:

	I Don’t Know How She Does It: The Life of Kate Reddy, Working Mother by Allison Pearson A funny, wry look at modern motherhood through the eyes of Kate Reddy, supermom. She manages a hedge fund, two young children, and mountains of laundry with wit and wisdom, often applying parenting tips in order to handle her boss and boardroom management techniques to birthday party organization. More about the book
	Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner Kate is an former investigative journalist and avowed city girl who can’t quite seem to find her place in her new upscale Connecticut neighborhood where she is a stay-at-home mom of three. That is, until she discovers a neighbor’s body and explores the darker side of suburban bliss. A rollicking good foray into the mystery genre for popular author Weiner. More about the book
	The Good Mother by Sue Miller Anna is a freshly divorced single mother to three-year-old Molly when she meets Leo, a passionate man who is the polar opposite of her buttoned-up ex-husband. When her ex sues for custody of Molly, Anna and Leo’s affair is put on trial, as is her role as a “good mother”. This was Miller’s first novel. More about the book
	Nursery Crimes by Ayelet Waldman A lawyer-turned-stay-at-home-mom finds herself in the role of amateur sleuth as she investigates the death of the headmaster at a posh preschool. A light, humorous mystery that is the first in the “Mommy Track” series from this author. More about the book
	The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent Based on a true story, this is the fictional account of Martha Carrier, the first woman to be accused of and tried for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts, as told by her daughter, Sarah. As the hysteria mounts in Salem and the accusations fly around various families, Martha’s love for Sarah and her siblings leads her to great sacrifice in order to save them. More about the book

Nonfiction:

	Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation by Cokie Roberts You may know plenty about John Adams, Ben Franklin, and George Washington, but what about Abigail, Deborah, and Martha? In a highly readable alternate look at our country’s founding, Roberts examines the wives and mothers who were revolutionary in their own right. More about the book
	Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic by Martha Beck An ambitious, highly educated, “power” couple gets the unexpected news that they are pregnant and soon learn that the baby will have Down’s Syndrome. This account of their decision to not only keep the baby but embrace all that such a diagnosis brings with it is by turns heart wrenching, sad, insightful, and funny. More about the book
	Mom’s Cancer by Brian Fies The ways that a mother’s cancer diagnosis affects an entire family are honestly told in this moving graphic novel. An unflinching memoir of a family’s struggle with illness told in a unique manner. More about the book
	The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less by Terry Ryan While the author’s father consistently drank away the family’s income, her mother chose to find creative ways to make ends meet in the 1950s, a time when few moneymaking venues were open to women. By entering contests, writing jingles, and keeping her chin up, Evelyn Ryan provided financially and emotionally for ten children. More about the book
	Daughter of the Queen of Sheba by Jacki Lyden NPR correspondent Lyden writes of her childhood with a bipolar mother who one day thought she was the Queen of Sheba and the next declared herself to be Marie Antoinette. By turns hilarious and horrifying, the author tells the story of both her essentially absent mother and the grandmother who ultimately raised her, a strong, colorful character herself. More about the book

Have You Read...Sebastian Faulks?

Sebastian Faulks is one of Britain's most popular literary authors, yet he remains relatively unknown in the US. A former journalist and editor who turned to fiction in his late twenties, he writes richly detailed, well-researched stories that are deeply evocative of the some of the 20th century's most remarkable periods and places, from WWII-era Europe to America on the brink of the Vietnam War. His perspective is thoroughly modern, but his books have an old-fashioned, epic feeling--often due to their wartime settings and lush romantic plots. As a testament to his popularity, and in a break from his usual work, Faulks was commissioned by the Ian Fleming estate to write a new James Bond book, Devil May Care, for the 2008 centenary of Fleming's birth. If you enjoy sweeping historical dramas that have decidedly literary bent, check out Sebastian Faulks.

	Birdsong A young British executive travels to France on business in 1910 where he meets and falls madly in love with an unhappily married older woman. The two share a brief but passionate love affair, the consequences of which will linger long after he goes back to Britain. Six years later he returns to France as an officer about to enter the brutal trench warfare in the Somme Valley and encounters his former love again. More about the book
	Charlotte Gray The title character is a young Scottish woman who travels to London during WWII where she falls in love with an RAF pilot. When he disappears on a mission over France, she volunteers for the government's secretive "G Section" and heads to France to aid the Resistance and locate her lover. This book was adapted into a movie starring Cate Blanchett. More about the book
	On Green Dolphin Street In 1960, the reserved wife of a troubled British diplomat stationed in America falls for a jazz-loving New York journalist. Their affair unfolds amid some of the 20th century's watershed events--the Nixon-Kennedy campaign, the escalation of the Cold War, and the dawning of one of the most tumultuous decades in America. More about the book
	Human Traces This sweeping story takes place at the dawning of modern psychiatry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and follows two doctors who meet and discover a shared passion for the workings of the human mind. Both doctors have their own personal motivations and very different approaches to their work, but they share a mutual goal of establishing an innovative treatment facility for the mentally ill. As the pair's work takes them through Europe, America, and Africa, the reader glimpses each character's own exposure to illness, tragedy, grief, and madness. More about the book

40th Anniversary of Earth Day

Honor the 40th anniversary of Earth Day by exploring recent nonfiction about the natural history of our region of the earth. Earth Day is April 22, but celebrations often begin the week before. Lawrence’s celebration was Saturday, April 17, 2010. Earth Day was first observed in 1970 in order to encourage appreciation and understanding for our environment.

Ken Lassman shared the following observations of natural events for Earth Day. Ken is the author of the book Wild Douglas County in the list below.

"This year’s Earth Day is being celebrated in the Kaw River valley with morels offering their delectable above-ground parts under dead elms and other woodland haunts. Glorious redbud blossoms are beginning to transition into seedpods, joined by the emergence of young heart-shaped leaves on the same limbs. Speaking of seed pods, there are an abundance of the round, light green elm samaras and paired maple helicopter seeds ready to take flight, and Earth week this year is witnessing the emergence of many new tree leaves on a wide number of woodland species.

If you hurry, you can still catch some oak-hickory woodland wildflowers at Clinton Lake, wrapping up before the leafy canopy takes all of the sunlight, including the beautiful mayapple blossom found nestled in the crotch of the Y shaped step that supports the double leaves of the umbrella-like plant. Come back later to watch those flowers turn into little green applets. After dark, listen to the coyotes, owls and various species of frogs regale each other and the waxing Planting Moon, so called by the Osages who used to live in the area.

Enjoy the Phoenix-like emergence of the Prairie Park Nature Center from its recent burn, located at 27th and Harper east of Haskell. The yellow buttercups, the spirals of the lousewort, spring beauties and emerging prairie grass shoots will make your trip a memorable one. Be sure to bring a camera!

And be sure to take a friend along, and make a point to return in the coming weeks as the prairies get taller and taller, and the pageantry of new prairie wildflowers changes every week through the months of May and June. May your enjoyment of this area’s wildlife grow in the coming days, weeks and months, as the new crop of young life joins your own in this valley in the heart of this continent on this glorious planet of ours!"

The following books represent some aspect of nature in our area; they are recent publications, 2007 or later. Click on the titles to view and reserve these books in the catalog. Internet links are included where you may access more information about the books.

	Kansas Physiographic Regions: Bird's-eye Views by James S. Aber and Susan W. Aber The authors offer unique aerial photographs and descriptions of the varied geological regions across Kansas. More about the book
	A Photographic Field Guide to the Butterflies in the Kansas City Region by Betsy Betros Learn about each butterfly species’ range, habitat, food source, winter stage, and more for butterflies found in eastern Kansas and western Missouri. More about the book
	A Kansas Year by Mike Blair Read about many facets of the natural world in Kansas through all of the seasons accompanied by great photography. A 2010 Kansas Notable Book. More about the book
	Kansas Outdoor Treasures: A Guide to Over 60 Natural Destinations by Julie M. Cirlincuina Use this book to plan a trip into a Kansas wilderness. More about the book
	Native Ferns, Moss & Grasses by William Cullina This guide will help novice gardeners be more comfortable working with otherwise intimidating plants. The library owns several more gardening books by Cullina-- two of which focus on growing other native plants. More about the book
	True Tales of the Prairies and Plains by David Dary Regional characters and folklore are illuminated from our pioneering past. More about the book
	Kansas Atlas & Gazetteer Published by DeLorme Mapping This road atlas includes all major highways and most of the back roads in Kansas. Find out about many recreational opportunities by perusing the many lists in the front of the book. More about the book
	Missouri Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the Wildflowers of Missouri by Edgar Denison This helpful field guide presents large photos with descriptive information for identification. Many closely-related plant species are noted in the back of the book. Many of the same wildflowers found in Missouri may be found in Kansas. More about the book
	Seldom Seen: A Journey into the Great Plains by Patrick Dobson The author spent two and a half months exploring the Great Plains on foot. This journey was a chance to reflect on his life. He shares a few of his encounters with wildlife and many of the people he meets share their own search for happiness. More about the book
	Hiking Kansas City: The Complete Guide to More than 125 Hiking and Walking Trails in the Kansas City Area by William B. Eddy & Richard O. Ballentine Trails in the Kansas City region and many others some distance from KC are featured, including trails along the Kansas River in Lawrence and at Konza Prairie near Manhattan. More about the book
	Great Plains: America's Lingering Wild by Michael Forsberg This book presents compelling arguments for protecting the remaining landscapes and wildlife in the Great Plains. Striking photos throughout the book express the author’s deep appreciation for the land. More about the book
	The Guide to Kansas Birds and Birding Hot Spots by Bob Gress and Pete Janzen This field guide highlights 295 birds with detailed descriptions, photos, and recommendations of where they might be found. Many exceptional birding “hot spots” are recommended. A checklist of all 470 birds recorded in the state is included. More about the book
	America Discovered: A Historical Atlas of North American Exploration by Derek Hayes Historical maps are provided with background and context. View images of America much like Lewis and Clark and other explorers might have seen. More about the book
	Design Your Natural Midwest Garden by Patricia Hill Beautify your landscape with native plants and benefit the environment at the same time. More about the book
	Adventures in Tornado Alley: The Storm Chasers by Mike Hollingshead and Eric Nguyen View the stunning photos of storms from two professional chasers. This book also explains how tornados are formed. More about the book
	Cougar: Ecology and Conservation edited by Maurice Hornocker and Sharon Negri This collection is a useful resource for anyone who wants to learn more about biology and management of cougars and their natural habitats. It also highlights the consequences for a wild land in the absence of large carnivores, e.g. mounting deer populations. More about the book
	Hunger for the Wild: America's Obsession with the Untamed West by Michael L. Johnson American identity is deeply connected to the limitless possibilities of western wilderness. The author describes the historical roots and present realities of the region. (Kansas Notable Book, 2008) More about the book
	Invasive Plants: A Guide to Identification, Impacts, and Control of Common North American Species by Sylvan Ramsey Kaufman and Wallace Kaufman This thorough and practical resource includes a detailed field guide section of over 175 invasive plant species with photos, identification notes, habitats and ranges, “what it does in the ecosystem”, how it was introduced to North America, and methods of control. Included is a short key to help identify the most prominent invasive plant species and guidelines for safe use of herbicides. More about the book
	Wild Douglas County by Ken Lassman Lassman encourages us to become more aware of our bioregion and gain a stronger sense of place. His book may be used as a resource to become more familiar with nature in our own backyards and the larger region. More about the book
	Hard Road West: History & Geology along the Gold Rush Trail by Keith Heyer Meldahl Learn about geologic history along the California Trail and the people who traveled it. More about the book
	50 Hikes in the Ozarks: Walks, Hikes and Backpacks in the Mountains, Wildernesses and Geological Wonders of Arkansas and Missouri by Johnny Molloy The beautiful Ozark wilderness includes so many places to explore. Use this guide to plan your outing. More about the book
	Paddling Kansas by Dave Murphy Wonderful maps and detailed descriptions provide all the necessary information to plan a canoe or kayak trip in the state. More about the book
	Life in the Soil: A Guide for Naturalists and Gardeners by James B. Nardi Every naturalist should check out this book to expand her or his knowledge of the earth that grounds us all. More about the book
	Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie: The Upper Midwest by Sylvan T. Runkel and Dean M. Roosa This book provides large, beautiful photos, all the descriptive details of a field guide, and historic uses as medicine and food. More about the book
	A Spring Day on the Hill: Art Inspired by the University of Kansas Campus Beautiful paintings done en plein air (in the open air) of the KU campus are paired with information on each of the artists. More about the book
	Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens by Douglas W. Tallamy This informative book makes gardeners familiar and less fearful of the bugs trying to live on their plants. The author’s persuasive arguments encourage readers to use native plants to feed the bugs, which in turn feed birds and other wildlife. As the author notes, so much of our wilderness is being developed that more wildlife is becoming dependent on our suburban yards. More about the book
	Wildflowers of Southeast Kansas and Bordering Counties of Surrounding States by Stephen L. Timme This field guide offers close-up photography of over 300 flowering plants, common and scientific names, plant family, descriptions, flowering dates, and habitats. Many individual species accounts include information on name origin and meaning, historical medicinal or food use, and related plants. More about the book
	Revolution on the Range: The Rise of a New Ranch in the American West by Courtney White White’s book is an account of sustainable farming practices sprinkled with inspiring quotes from the people doing the work. More about the book
	Survival of Rural America: Small Victories and Bitter Harvests by Richard E. Wood Gain a greater understanding of the challenges for rural areas. The author visited many small Kansas towns and found many communities are learning new ways to revive their economies. More about the book
	Nature of Kansas Lands edited by Beverley Worster Awe-inspiring photography is paired with facts about nature in Kansas. More about the book
	Buffalo Nation: American Indian Efforts to Restore the Bison by Ken Zontek Native Americans deserve much of the credit for bison preservation success in North America. This is an inspirational history of efforts to restore wild bison herds. More about the book