What We're Reading: Jan

50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread Misconceptions about Human Behavior by Scott O. Lilienfeld, Steven Jay Lynn, John Ruscio and Barry L. Beyerstein

We’ve all heard the popular axioms: “opposites attract”, “there’s safety in numbers”, and “stress is the primary cause of ulcers” and have accepted them as fact. Surprisingly, these “myths” and many others have been debunked in this critique by four psychology professors using scientific studies and statistics. It turns out that, in general, mates are chosen based on similar values and personalities, groups of people don’t help in emergencies because they feel less responsible in a group than individually, and that stress is primarily caused by a bacterial infection. The authors discuss 50 ideas in depth and more than 200 others briefly and cover areas of psychology relating to law, memory, emotion, personality, mental illness and more. It’s a fascinating read as many of the ideas have been held as truth for years and are refuted - they fall one-by-one by the power of science. As the authors quote in the beginning of the book : “Science must begin with myths and with the criticism of myths.” (Sir Karl Popper , 1957)

Sterling Heights Public Library Star Wars Day, June 19, 2010

Our third annual Star Wars Day on June 19 was a huge success, drawing around 800 happy visitors who posed for photos with characters (members of the 501st and Rebel Legions); shot stormtroopers and Ewok targets at Nerf blaster ranges; and made Star Wars crafts. Displays of costume props and vintage Star Wars toys drew lots of interest as well.

A pair of stormtroopers struck an action pose
for a young visitor.

Big and little Vaders were attended by an Imperial Officer.

R2 had a starstruck fan.

Han Solo seemed to have shrunk in this photo with his friend, Chewbacca.

Big and little guys liked the stormtroopers.

An Admiral Ackbar paper bag puppet shouted, "It's a trap!"

A gallant stormtrooper volunteered for live blaster range duty.

Jedi Padawans posed with their lightsabers.

Vintage Star Wars toys in the display case drew fans of all ages.

A new generation was still captivated by the Star Wars story.

The Youth Services desk had a new librarian for the day,
a Tusken Raider visiting from Tatooine.

Chewbacca found a book he liked with the help
of a friendly children's librarian.

Darth Vader read a helpful library book,
while his Imperial Officer looked on.

Keep watching the library's web page for details on special pictures to appear on the official Star Wars website, and to download digitally altered lightsaber effect group photos!

What We're Reading: Edward

Altar of Eden

by James Rollins

After a severe storm, Louisiana veterinarian, Lorna Polk, is asked to help identify a strange cargo. A ship washed up by the storm contains a pair of conjoined monkeys, a featherless parrot, a snake with leg stubs, and a jaguar cub with saber-tiger like teeth. How did the animals end up on this ship? Are the animals the result of birth defects or genetic manipulation? To solve this mystery Lorna is forced to work with Border Patrol Agent, Jack Menard. They share a dark secret from the past. Meanwhile back in the swamp a huge saber-tiger and her cub try to feed on a group of local boy scouts. Will Lorna and Jack be able to save them? Then Lorna is kidnapped by the men shipping the animals and taken to the tropical island of Eden. Jack mounts an unsanctioned rescue. On the island they learn the secret of the strange animals. They battle for their own survival and for the fantastic results of the genetic experiments!

What We're Reading: Edward

Atlantis Code

by Charles Brokaw


While you are waiting for the next book by Dan Brown, try this first novel by Brokaw. Thomas Lourds is an expert in ancient languages. Sent to appear on a television program from Africa, his skills are tested by an ancient bell. He is unable to read the writing on the bell. Before he is able to research further; the bell is stolen and several people are killed. The ancient writing on the bell leads him to a Russian colleague, who has another artifact with the same language. More people are killed in Russia. Lourds is now on the trail of four artifacts that may be related to Atlantis. At the same time there is an archaeological dig taking place in Spain. Could this be the location of the lost continent of Atlantis? The dig is being run by a Catholic priest with funding from a secret group inside the Vatican. Was Atlantis the original Garden of Eden? Will Lourds be able to solve this mystery?

What We're Reading: Brenda

Sylvia Jean, Drama Queen and The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst

I really enjoyed both of these titles by Lisa Campbell Ernst. The stories themselves are cute and the main characters are lovable and spunky. The illustrations are done in pastels and are warm and colorful. I will definitely be checking out other titles by this author!

In Sylvia Jean, Drama Queen young Sylvia the pig has a costume for every occasion. When she goes to the dentist she dresses up as a superhero because "they're brave and have sparkly smiles" and when working with her mother in the garden she is a bee. People in town are so used to Sylvia's outfits that when a costume party with a prize for the best costume is announced everyone expects Sylvia to win. Sylvia announces that it will be her "best costume ever ... you'll never recognize me." However, as the day of the party comes closer Sylvia can't come up with an idea - what will she do! The ending of this book is sweet and will be a gentle reminder that the best way to stand out in a crowd is to just be yourself!

The Gingerbread Girl is a modern retelling of the original classic featuring a girl instead of a boy! Although at one point it seems like the Gingerbread Girl will meet the same fate as her brother she is one smart cookie and is able to outsmart the fox who ate her brother. Little girls will like her take-charge attitude and will enjoy having a strong female character to emulate. I enjoyed the clever rhymes used throughout this story and overall loved this book with one exception; toward the end of the book the author uses the words "dumber" and "airhead" in comments the fox is making about the Gingerbread Girl. Neither is necessary and when reading the book to my daughter I skip over these sentences - she doesn't even notice!

What We're Reading: Mary

Albatross
by Jossie Bloss

This young adult novel delves into many current issues teens are facing.
In it, the main character Tess, is dealing with her parents' separation; a move to a new city and school; along with underlying low self-esteem.
How could she not have low self-esteem, when her perfectionist father could only see every little flaw in her nearly perfect performances? He threatened to make her quit the swim team after getting one "B" on an otherwise all "A"report card.
How natural it then felt, to fall head over heals for a guy in love with another girl, who would never see her as "good enough." He says she's only (good enough to be) a friend to him, which he constantly reinforces by calling her "dude," even while lying on his bed kissing her. His "real" girlfriend, however burdensome, would always come first.
A very interesting twist develops at the end of the story, when Tess has a heart to heart talk with the "real" girlfriend, and hears the other side of the story.
This is an excellent, and compelling read for both male and female teens.

What We're Reading: Rita

Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook by Anthony Bourdain

Touted as the follow-up to Kitchen Confidential, Medium Raw does indeed update readers on what Bourdain has been up to in the ten years since the publication of his mega-bestseller. And he’s been busy - divorce, remarriage, fatherhood, a departure from professional kitchens, and a new career as a writer and television star. Bourdain is still delightfully snarky as he skewers, with his usual profanity, the Food Network, Alice Waters, Sandra Lee, Alain Ducasse, Alan Richman, fast food in general and McDonald’s in particular, and the American beef industry, among others.

But – what’s this? – a delightful essay about the joys and worries of parenting his young daughter. Why, it could almost be described as “sweet”. And – can it be? – he actually has kind words for former targets Emeril Lagasse and Rachael Ray. Bourdain readily admits that the fame he acquired after the publication of Kitchen Confidential changed his life, and acknowledges his good fortune in both his personal and professional life. It hasn’t all been rosy, however, and he’s equally frank about the other side of his celebrity.

If you object to vulgarity and profanity, then this definitely isn’t the book for you. But if you’re a Bourdain fan, you know what to expect, and you’ll enjoy this latest offering.