What We're Reading: Tracy

Sideshow: Ten Original Tales of Freaks, Illusionists, and Other Matters Odd and Magical, edited by Deborah Noyes.

"Meet mediums and mummies, spinsters and bearded ladies, three-headed rats and circus freaks and monsters of every sort! All you need do is be brave enough to step inside." So opens this mesmerizing collection of short stories and graphic tales devoted to the weird world of the sideshow. Included are works by renowned young adult authors including David Almond, Vivian Vande Velde, Annette Curtis Klause, and Matt Phelan. Readers of the Cirque du Freak series will likely enjoy these sideshow based stories as well.

What We're Reading: Edward

TRY FEAR by James Scott Bell

Ty Buchanan, once a high powered attorney in Los Angeles, is now living in a trailer at a Benedictine community on the outskirts of the city. He provides free legal advice to the members of the community. On Christmas eve he is asked to help the son of a parishioner. Carl is arrested for drunk driving while wearing just a thong and a Santa hat. Using a fine definition in the law, Ty gets Carl cleared of the charge. Later Carl is found dead, its looks like suicide. But then his brother Eric is charged with murder. With the help of his investigator, Sister Mary Veritas, Ty fights to prove Eric innocent. At the last minute a witness verifies Eric's alibi and Eric is freed. Meanwhile Sister Mary is being cyber-stalked. When she is shot while standing next to him, Ty wonders if she or he was the target. But things are not all what they seem to be. Did Eric really kill his brother? Will Sister Mary's stalker be identified? Great beach read. This is the third book in the series.

2007 TRY DYING

2008 TRY DARKNESS

2009 TRY FEAR

Hope for Homeowners: Prevent foreclosure

The best bet for residents struggling to pay their house payment is to seek assistance and be proactive. A program planned at the Sterling Heights Public Library in June can help.
In conjunction with Advantage Realty, Inc and Bell Title Co., the library will be offering an information session on the new HOPE for Homeowners federal program, loan modification, rate modification and short sales Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Programming Center.
Homeowners should attend even if they think they might be having issues in the near future. The federal HOPE for Homeowners program will refinance mortgages for borrowers who are having difficulties making their payments, but can afford a new loan insured by HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Other modifications to the current mortgage can also be the answer. This program is intended to help families keep their homes and avoid foreclosure.
Registration is mandatory. Call (586) 446-2640 or visit www.shpl.net. The Sterling Heights Public Library is located at 40255 Dodge Park Road at Utica Road.

What We're Reading: Debbie

The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker

Truly was a huge baby, killing her mother in childbirth. Truly continued to grow (due to an endocrine disorder), and by adulthood is by far the largest and tallest person in town. She poignantly tells her tale in this novel; of enduring the hardships of being the 'town freak', of watching the problems of her perfect, petite, beautiful sister, and of her degrading relationship with Robert Morgan, the town doctor. "I'd gotten a double helping of what the universe was serving, and it hadn't killed me yet. Instead, it was teaching me to live." Very good book.

What We're Reading: Laurie

Creem: America's Only Rock 'N' Roll Magazine by Robert Matheu and Brian J. Bowe

Interesting articles about some of your favorite rock bands by some of the best rock critics ever! Creem was considered by many to be the magazine for rock reviews because the writers were so honest, insightful and entertaining. Includes tons of amazing photos and classic Creem cover photos.

What We're Reading: Tracy

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, by Mo Willems.

Lovers of Mo Willems' Pigeon books have cause to rejoice. Another great Willems character has arrived: the Naked Mole Rat!

What is a Naked Mole Rat, you wonder? In his inestimable style, Willems explains: "1. They are a little bit rat. 2. They are a little bit mole. 3. They are all naked."

As the title suggests, one very particular mole rat does not like being naked, and begins assembling a comprehensive wardrobe, to the dismay of his peers. As always with a Willems book, the illustrations are just as funny as the text, and complement each other perfectly.

What We're Reading: Mary

Mind / Body Medicine: How to Use Your Mind for Better Health,
edited by Daniel Goleman, Ph.D.

There’s no doubt that stress affects health, but researchers are finding more and more ways to manage it. This book is a compilation of reports, essays and case studies by renowned doctors from all over the U.S. They look at the role stress plays in many illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, skin problems, asthma, arthritis and others. Then, they look at the ever growing number of ways to manage stress, including meditation, relaxation, exercise, psychotherapy and hypnosis to name a few. With so many approaches to stress management, everyone living in this “age of anxiety” is sure to find some relief.