Online Dictionaries

Looking for a definition of a word? Here are some online dictionaries that are easy to use. My favorite is www.dictionary.com. Just go to the website and type in the word your looking for. It doesn't get any easier than that. A few more online dictionaries are www.merriam-webster.com, www.yourdictionary.com, and www.encarta.msn.com. The encarta is suitable for all ages but has the option for parents to block offensive material. It also has tabs for a thesaurus and translations into Spanish, French, German, and Italian.

For All Mystery Lovers

Stop, You're Killing Me! Here is a one stop web page for everything crime! It has detailed author and book pages plus award winners and it sends out a bi-monthly e-newsletter. Just go to www.stopyourekillingme.com and cruise around the site. It sorts mysteries into location, genre, historical era, and by character's names, and much more.

Magazines

We have a variety of magazines that are available for checkout. Some of our favorites are Mother Earth News, Mental Floss, Hobby Farms, Organic Gardening and Do It Yourself. Mother Earth News is celebrating its 40th anniversary. In the September issue some articles are about saving money on groceries, strengthening your immune system, how to grow mushrooms, and more. Stop in and check it out.

FREE foreign language course now available!

Kittanning Public Library now offers Mango Languages for free, easy and fun foreign language learning.

Kittanning Public Library has added Mango Languages to its growing list of patron resources. Mango is free of charge to all Kittanning Public Library members and is the easiest and most effective way to learn to speak a foreign language. Mango is available in two versions:

Mango Basic:

Perfect for a foreign language beginner, Mango Basic teaches everyday greetings, gratitudes, goodbyes and helpful phrases in a short period of time. The courses, which require only two to five hours of time to complete, are currently available in 22 foreign languages and 14 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.

You can view all the supported Mango Basic languages and ESL courses here: http://mangolanguages.com/mangobasic/languages/

Mango Complete:

Mango Complete offers a 100-lesson course that digs much deeper and is designed to provide a more complete understanding of the entire language and culture. It is available in nine foreign language and three ESL courses. Foreign language courses include Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. ESL courses include Polish, Spanish and Portuguese.

To learn more about Mango and get a short preview of what the program has to offer, you can visit the company's website at www.mangolanguages.com. Even better, you can visit the library's webiste and get started on the courses themselves! http://www.armstronglibraries.org/kittanning.php

Telling Amy's Story - Documentary Screening

Join us on Thursday, September 30th at 7:00 pm to view and discuss Telling Amy's Story.

From the psu website: "Told by the detective who led the case review, Telling Amys Story follows the timeline of a domestic violence homicide that occurred in central Pennsylvania on November 8, 2001.

While we will never be able to change the ending to Amys story, we hope that its telling can change outcomes for the millions of victims, survivors, and loved ones affected by
domestic violence everyday.

Produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting, Telling Amy's Story will be broadcast on PBS stations nationwide beginning June 1."

Modern Library Top 100 Novels, pt 2

THE WINGS OF THE DOVE by Henry James
THE AMBASSADORS by Henry James
*TENDER IS THE NIGHT by F. Scott Fitzgerald
THE STUDS LONIGAN TRILOGY by James T. Farrell
THE GOOD SOLDIER by Ford Madox Ford
*ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell
THE GOLDEN BOWL by Henry James
*SISTER CARRIE by Theodore Dreiser
A HANDFUL OF DUST by Evelyn Waugh
AS I LAY DYING by William Faulkner
*ALL THE KING'S MEN by Robert Penn Warren
*THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY by Thornton Wilder
*HOWARDS END by E.M. Forster
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN by James Baldwin
THE HEART OF THE MATTER by Graham Greene
*LORD OF THE FLIES by William Golding
*DELIVERANCE by James Dickey
A DANCE TO THE MUSIC OF TIME (series) by Anthony Powell
*POINT COUNTER POINT by Aldous Huxley
*THE SUN ALSO RISES by Ernest Hemingway
THE SECRET AGENT by Joseph Conrad
NOSTROMO by Joseph Conrad
THE RAINBOW by D.H. Lawrence
WOMEN IN LOVE by D.H. Lawrence
TROPIC OF CANCER by Henry Miller

*denotes that the library has the book available for checkout

Modern Library Top 100 Best Novels, pt. 1

*ULYSSES by James Joyce
*THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN by James Joyce
LOLITA by Vladimir Nabokov
*BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley
*THE SOUND AND THE FURY by William Faulkner
*CATCH-22 by Joseph Heller
DARKNESS AT NOON by Arthur Koestler
SONS AND LOVERS by D.H. Lawrence
*THE GRAPES OF WRATH by John Steinbeck
UNDER THE VOLCANO by Malcolm Lowry
THE WAY OF ALL FLESH by Samuel Butler
*1984 by George Orwell
I, CLAUDIUS by Robert Graves
TO THE LIGHTHOUSE by Virginia Woolf
*AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY by Theodore Dreiser
*THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER by Carson McCullers
*SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut
*INVISIBLE MAN by Ralph Ellison
*NATIVE SON by Richard Wright
HENDERSON THE RAIN KING by Saul Bellow
APPOINTMENT IN SAMARRA by John O'Hara
U.S.A. (trilogy) by John Dos Passos
*WINESBURG, OHIO by Sherwood Anderson
A PASSAGE TO INDIA by E.M. Forster

* denotes that the title is available for checkout at Kittanning Library

Book Review

Clapton: the Autobiography by Eric Clapton 2007 – non-fiction
This autobiography covers the icon’s candid account of turning his life of depression/addiction toward guitar perfection and finally finding happiness in his 50s. It is a very personal account of every step of his career starting with his childhood, through his years with the Yardbirds and Cream, following with stories of his solo success. Clapton’s story is honest, witty, and a great book.

Posted on behalf of Daphne

Cook book review

Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Simone Beck, Louisette Bertholle, and Julia Child -- 1961
Even if you don’t want to cook French, read it as a novel for the cooking tips! There are 524 recipes in this book, and if you’ve seen the movie Julie & Julia, you know that there are people out there who love cooking so much that they want to try each recipe. As Julia Child said, “Anyone can cook in the French manner anywhere with the right instruction.” This book isn’t just recipes, it also details French techniques that have been adapted for American kitchens.

Posted on behalf of Daphne.

Book Review

The First Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders 1973 – fiction
The first mystery I ever read. This is the first book out of the four book series. The book details the mind of both the cop and the killer. He is an excellent mystery writer and the book is long, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Posted on behalf of Daphne

The Hot Zone

The Hot Zone: A Terrifying True Story by Richard Preston 1994 – non-fiction

As the rain forest is destroyed, the appearance of lethal viruses becomes more prevalent in the modern world. Viruses such as Ebola, Marburg, and AIDS are discussed in a medically graphic way in the book. This true story delves into the horror behind an Ebola outbreak among monkeys in a Washington, D.C. laboratory.

posted on behalf of Daphne

The Road

by Cormac McCarthy. 2006. Fiction.
This novel is very dark, but you won’t want to put it down. It is set in Apocalyptic America and tells of the journey of a father and son. It is a story of perseverance when all hope is gone. It is a story of survival. It is a story of a father’s love for his son. The novel is a quick read, but the tale will linger in your mind.
Posted on behalf of Daphne

Book Review

The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen L. Carter 2002 – fiction
Debut novel of social observation. A well-educated black man in the world of New England academia is left to pick up the clues to figure out the “arrangements” his father wanted carried out after his death. There is a murder intertwined.
Posted on behalf of Daphne

And the Band Played On

And the Band Played On by Randy Shilts
1987 -- non-fiction
A history of the early development of AIDS; reads like a novel. The French and the American medical community are competing to figure out the virus. Regan-economics largely ignored the dying of millions. The author died of AIDS in 1994.
Posted on behalf of Daphne

Travel Roundup, pt 3

Roadfood.com
http://www.roadfood.com/
Immediately upon loading the home page, you see a large, delicious looking photograph of the featured Restaurant of the Day. Their slogan is: The most memorable local eateries along the highways and back roads of America. This site is designed to connect you to restaurants all over the country with each restaurant having a review, photos, and “must eats.” Currently, there are 1,556 restaurants listed with over 9,000 photos to go with them. Check it out, but not when you’re hungry!


Yelp
http://www.yelp.com/
If you’re looking for a review-centered website, this is the site for you! Search within a city for shopping, nightlife, restaurants, beauty & spas, active life, and coffee & tea. Real people write reviews so it’s a great way to check out a location before you go there. If you’re interested in contributing your own two cents, it’s free to sign up with the website, and after that you can review away!

Travel Roundup, pt. 2

Moms Minivan
http://www.momsminivan.com/
This website is full of ideas to keep the kids or toddlers busy on long car rides. With different categories for different age groups, it would be hard not to find at least one activity to keep the kids busy. There are games such as Car Travel Bingo, Counting Cows, and Name the Clouds. There are also printable activities to take along in the car.


Roadside America
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/
“Your Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions.” Everything you never knew existed can be found on this website aimed at wandering tourists. You can see the “Jenny,” the famous shrimping boat from Forrest Gump, or Ye Olde UFO Store, or even a Big Junk Sculpture made of Old Airplanes. You can search for a specific attraction or you can browse by states. There are video highlights of some attractions, and even an app for the iPhone! When you’re searching for your favorite tourist attraction, search for a hotel to go with it.

Travel Roundup

Traveling this summer? Whether you’re staying in the country or heading abroad, it’s best to be prepared for everything. Need games to entertain the kids on a long car ride? Want to find a travel agent? Looking for the sidestop oddities that dot the map or maybe that great local diner? These websites will help you find whatever it is that you need:



Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Travelers’ Health
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx
For both domestic and international trips, this website broadcasts all the warnings and travel advisories that you need to know. On the front page, headlines show the most recent notices. This website seems the most appropriate to use if you are traveling abroad. There is a very user-friendly list of destinations that you can click on, and they provide the current travel notices in effect, tips to prepare for your trip, recommended vaccines, and also lists of diseases common in that country. If you’re looking for podcasts, there are plenty available, most lasting 5-10 minutes.


Eurotrip: Travel advice and savings
http://www.eurotrip.com/
This website claims it is the largest online community of budget-conscious travelers, and the articles and tips are aimed at people looking to backpack through Europe. Right from the homepage you can search for hostels available or search a city for events, hostels/hotels, and places to eat. If you become a member of the site, you can plan your trip to Europe and even create an itinerary for each day of your visit. If you’re looking for travel tips or podcasts, they are in abundance.

Pennsylvania Early Learning Forum: Bright from the Start

I’ve returned from the latest library conference in Harrisburg. While catching up on the day-to-day stuff is usually first priority, I wanted to share a few tidbits that I brought back from keynote speaker, Jill Stamm, Ph.D. from Arizona State University and New Directions Institute. Her presentation, Bright from the Start, reminded me of a few key things (things that may seem like old news but are important to remember) about the first five years and brain development. We see articles in popular magazines about baby brain development and promotions for items that will teach your child everything he/she needs to know. I think everyone can agree that we want what’s best for our children. We want them to have every opportunity to succeed. Sometimes the information out there is overwhelming. Neuroscience has shown us how babies’ brains are wired. Experts tell us what works best from a scientific standpoint. But, it really is very simple. Dr. Stamm calls it the ABC’s of Early Learning. Attention, Bonding and Communication… simply by paying attention, talking to your baby, and loving that cuddly bundle of joy, we are creating success.

A few notes from Dr. Stamm’s presentation:
• Neuroscience indicates that the majority of “wiring” of the brain comes after birth. This means that early experiences affect the way the brain is wired.
• The brain has a remarkable capacity to change due to learning experiences. It is never too late to improve a child’s life.
• You can help the children in your life to wire a healthy brain by… Talking, Reading, Singing, Playing, Touching & Cuddling
• The attention system (yes, it is its own system within the brain) utilizes mirror neurons and is developed by around 14 months. To help this system develop, the best thing you can do is pay attention to the child. If a child has someone pay attention to them, they learn how to pay attention.
• Early child caregivers are not merely babysitters. They are brain developers! It is important to recognize the work they do to improve every child’s life.
• The point of reading to newborns and infants is to provide the opportunity to get acquainted with books and language. Reading to your child exposes them to books and language and words that may not typically come up in daily activities.

For more information on Baby Brain Development:
http://www.newdirectionsinstitute.org/
www.iamyourchild.org
http://brainconnection.positscience.com/
http://www.childtrauma.org/
http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer
http://www.familiesandwork.org/
http://www.ounceofprevention.org/home/index.php

Killer Angels

Killer Angels is a Pulitzer Prize-winning classic written by Michael Shaara. Following his death his son, Jeff, completed the trilogy with Gods and Generals and Last Full Measure. Killer Angels recounts the Battle of Gettyburg. It goes into great detail describing each day of the battle, how it was planned out and the consequences of decisions made by the generals involved. Gods and Generals follows the main characters leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg. Last Full Measure continues after Gettysburg to the surrender at Appomattox. All three are epic stories that follow the lives, passions, and careers of the great military leaders of that time. Great reads for all fans of the Civil War.

Yum, what a lunch!

Today was the second meeting of our cookbook club. I just have to say it was absolutely fantastic. We had selected Cook Yourself Thin: Skinny Meals you can make in minutes which features over 50 recipes that are low calorie (or maybe just a little bit healthier than your traditional recipes). Our lunch bunch made Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken Tenders with Coleslaw, Ultimate Sausage Cheese Pizza, Mac and Cheese, Tomato Fennel Soup and Turkey BLT, Mushroom and Spinach Quiche with Potato Crust and for dessert, Cookies and Cream Milkshakes. The low-cal recipes in this book are friendly to novice and experienced cooks alike. Discussion of the recipes allowed each person to provide their suggestions and alterations.

Before I head off to a corner for a nap, I want to mention that our next Cookbook Club will be held Friday, April 23rd @ 1:00 pm. Stop by the library before then and pick your recipe from Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics. Join us to sample the recipes, browse the cookbook collection, meet new friends, and have some fun.

Buying books?

I have set up an Amazon Associates store that will benefit the Library. Whenever you are purchasing books, dvds, computers, or anything else online, consider using the link below to place your order. You will be able to search the categories listed and add the items to the cart. When you are finished, simply click check out and you will be taken to Amazon's check out page. The library gets a percentage of your purchase. If you have any questions about this, please contact Amanda @ the library.

http://astore.amazon.com/kittapublilib-20

Left Behind

Left Behind Series

The left behind books consists of 16 books: one non-fiction book written by Tim LaHaye, fifteen fiction books written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.

The books in chronological order: The Rising, The Regime, The Rapture, Left Behind, Tribulation Force, Nicolae, Soul Harvest, Apollyon, Assassins, The Indwelling, The Mark, Desecration, The Remnant, Armageddon, Glorious Appearing, Kingdom Come.

The non-fiction book is a detailed, argumentative, pro and con presentation of scripture references that explain the various theories of when the rapture occurs. A must read for the theological students, those who want to be able to teach or debate the various theories. All others may skip this book. The only thing you really need to understand is that LaHaye supports the pre-tribulation rapture theory. The scripture references in Left Behind support this theory.

The fifteen fiction books are extremely interesting with well developed characters that come alive though the challenging events that occur in their lives with at least three story lines (on average) in each chapter. The main characters are introduced with a description and categorized in each book. This enables you to read them out of sequence.

Each book deals with a specific section of the tribulation events described in the book of Revelations from the New King James version of the Bible. The writers have divided and presented the events of the tribulation is such a way that the reader absorbs the details without effort as they follow the lives of the characters.

It is amazing that the publication sequence is quite different from the chronological sequence. The Left Behind book was written first with the first three books (The Rising, The Regime, The Rapture) actually following the Glorious Appearing. The Kingdom Come was written last.

Carol A.

Under the Dome

Recently, some of you may have been disappointed by King's newer novels. I've been told by some that they couldn't get through the one at all. Under the Dome returns Stephen King to my list of great storytellers. In the author's note, King states, "I tried to write a book that would keep the pedal consistently to the metal." While the sheer weight of the book limited me to reading it at the table, the story is a page turner that kept me obsessively reading every moment I could. The pedal stayed to the metal from the time the Dome seals off the town to the very end with Big Jim Rennie, second town selectman and used car dealer (not to mention as corrupt as you can imagine), Dale Barbara, local cook and ex-army (whose problems with Jim Rennie, Jr. had him leaving town), and a whole cast of characters that are the make up of any small town in America.


Meet the Characters (from Amazon.com)
Dale Barbara
Barbie, a drifter, ex-army, walks with a burden of guilt from the time he spent in Iraq. Working as a short-order cook at Sweetbriar Rose is the closest thing he’s had to a family life. When his old commander, Colonel Cox, calls from outside, Barbie's burden becomes the town itself.

Julia Shumway
The attractive Editor and Publisher of the local town newspaper, The Chester's Mill Democrat, Julia is self-assured and Republican to the core, but she is drawn to Barbie and discovers, when it matters most, that her most vulnerable moment might be her most liberating.

Jim Rennie, Sr.
"Big Jim." A used car dealer with a fierce smile and no warmth, he'd given his heart to Jesus at age sixteen and had little left for his customers, his neighbors, or his dying wife and deteriorating son. The town's Second Selectman, he’s used to having things his way. He walks like a man who has spent his life kicking ass.

Joseph McClatchey
Scarecrow Joe, a 13-year-old also known as "King of the Geeks" and "Skeletor, a bona fide brain whose backpack bears the legend "fight the powers that be." He’s smarter than anyone, and proves it in a crisis.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson

This is a book I couldn't put down, even if it meant staying up till the book fell off my lap as I nodded off. I carried it around with me for 2 days in case I had a few minutes to read a couple of pages. It has all the components to make a great story. A forty year old unsolved murder, a rich, wealthy family with skeletons in their closet, a love story, and a cast of interesting characters.
A journalist is hired by the wealthy family to find out what happened to Harriet forty years ago. He is very adept at researching past histories but he meets a girl with a dragon tattoo named Lisbeth, whose talents at hacking computers and discovering old skeletons far and away surpasses anything he's ever done. Lisbeth also carries around some secrets of her own. The author manages to suck you in and keep you in suspense throughout the story. One of the best books I've read.