It's a brand new year!

Do you make resolutions? Why not resolve to read one book this year that you would never normally even look at? Wouldn't it be great to expand your horizons with just "right" book.
Speaking of books, the selection for the month of January is THE COAL TATOO by Silas House. The book discussion group will be meeting on January 28 at 10 a.m. at the library. Hope to see you there!

Season's Readings!

December is a great time for our book discussion group. We read a variety of holiday books and give our reaction at our gathering. Of course, this gathering is special because everyone brings treats! It's our time to enjoy reading and enjoy each other's company in a relaxed setting.

If you have time, join us! We would love to have you. This year we are also reading "The Knitting Circle". It is a soft read but one that brings enjoyment and a hint of Christmas!

Check out the side bar for a number of great seasonal reads! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the library reading group!

And November's selection is . . .

This month we will be reading COLD ROCK RIVER.

It's almost October---

What a wonderful discussion on POSTVILLE last week. Thanks for being so willing to share your thoughts and opinions. I know you are ready for our political discussion in November. Our book of choice for our October 29th meeting is Bernard Goldberg's CRAZIES TO THE LEFT OF ME, WIMPS TO THE RIGHT --HOW ONE SIDE LOST ITS MIND AND THE OTHER LOST ITS NERVE. Make sure to check our the library's display of current political books. They range from biographies of our candidates to talk show hosts' rants. By the way, I heard that Mortenson's talk at Augustana was awesome! Hope that you are working on a second book of your choice for this discussion. I think I will read FLEECED by Morris.

Whatever you choose to read, I hope that you enjoy and that you remember to vote!

August's Book Club Meeting

What a great discussion we had on Wednesday morning! THOSE WHO SAVE US sparked a lot of questions and wonderful thoughts. Welcome to our three new members. We will see everyone on September 24. Just a reminder to everyone--THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES--one of our former selections, will be released as a movie this fall! Can't wait to see it. If you are looking for another book to read, why not pick up THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX. This is quite a story! Someone recently recommend THE THIRTEENTH TALE. If you like mystery, puzzles, and a bit of suspense, set in a historical time frame, check this out. Also, one of our club members brought it to my attention that Greg Mortenson will be speaking at Augustana College on the evening of September 28. His THREE CUPS OF TEA was an awesome selection.

Our September Selection---

During these next few weeks, please read POSTVILLE--A CLASH OF CULTURES IN HEARTLAND AMERICA by Stephen G. Bloom. As many of you know the tiny town of Postville was the site of huge immigration raid a few weeks ago. I hope we can have a great discussion about what has happened in Postville and what it could mean to our community. Just a little background, in 1987, a group of ultra-Orthodox Jews opened a kosher slaughterhouse outside the town. This act divided the community but also brought it economic growth. As many of us realize, change can cause pain and anger in a community. But sometimes, you must look at the "what if's" --that's what we hope to do in our discussion on Wednesday, September 27th.

P.S. Book club members PLEASE post to this blog with your comments before our next meeting.

P.S.S. Check out the links to recent articles about the immigration raid before our meeting.

Thanks :)

This month's read--

Hope to see everyone at our book discussion next Wednesday, August 27 at 10 a.m. at the library. Remember our book for this month is THOSE WHO SAVE US. Looking forward to having a large group. Remember to tell us what you have been reading! I am especially interested in your reaction to this month's read. It's interesting that there are so many books about World War II. Remember, we read THE BOOK THIEF several months ago. This book is an entirely different perspective. For another book that deals with World War II, pick up THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS. It is classified as a children's book but has so much to offer and think about.

We are starting another blog at the library--it's called the bookshelf.

It will consist of recommended titles and readalikes. Watch for it soon on our library web page.

What new in fiction?

Fans of James Patterson will want to read --SAIL

Also, pick up a copy of STOLEN INNOCENCE. This is the story of a young girl who grew up in a polygamous sect, became a teenage bride and finally broke free of Warren Jeffs. If you read this and enjoy it, you might want to read ESCAPE.

The clock is ticking ! ! !

Calling all adult readers! We need you to count the minutes you read for our summer reading program. There is a challenge from the kids to see if they can read more than the adults! Watch the catepillars crawl around the library as more of you read!


By the way, you can now download audio books through our website. Check it out: http://wilbor.lib.overdrive.com-- Find out more details by contacting your Hawarden Public Library or coming to our class on Thursday evening, June 5 at 7 p.m.

Well, this weekend I read two books-- the first one was one of those cozy mysteries--this was a Murder She Wrote--relaxing but not too challenging. However, the second book was great and I recommend it to all of you--It is THE YEAR OF FOG by Michelle Richmond. It is a page turner with great human relationships. Would make a great book discussion! The novel turns on the loss of a child--the child disappears while playing on a beach. Sound good? It's great!
Check it out, curl up in your favorite reading spot, grab a cup of coffee, and your're set.

Have you found just the book or author for this summer?

At our last book club meeting, several authors and titles were suggested. You may want to choose one of these for your summer reading pleasure: They include:

THE KITE RUNNER

THE GIRL WHO STOPPED SWIMMING

FRANCESCA'S KITCHEN

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS

Anything by Nicholas Sparks

FOR WOMEN ONLY

THE SPARROW

MY SISTER'S KEEPER

Other authors to think about: Anne Tyler, Anita Sheve, Alice Hoffman, Tami Hoag, Chaim Potok, Willa Cather, Hemingway, M.C. Beaton (just for fun and relaxation plus I've always wanted to visit England and Scotland.)

By the way, on Monday, you can pick up your BUGGO CARD. This is our library game for the next six weeks. The rules are simple --just complete a row by reading a book by each author in the row.

Remember, for each book that you read you name is entered into our basket giveaway. The theme of the first basket is CHOCOLATE!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

WILBOR goes live on the library's web site on Monday. You can download audio books to your MP3 players for a week! Talk about awesome! Stop by the library to learn more about it.

We are having a training session on June 5th at 7 p.m.

First Book for the Summer

Well, I was so glad everyone who could made it to the book discussion on Wednesday. We had a great discussion about EAT, PRAY, LOVE. Thanks for all the suggestions for this summer's reading. I pulled an author's name out of the hat. The June selection is A WEDDING IN DECEMBER by Anita Shreve. Make sure to pick up your book club copy at the library circulation desk. We will see everyone on June 25th. Remember to start tracking how many minutes you read each day!

Perhaps, we will meet in the park for the June meeting for breakfast. Watch this blog for more information. Remember, to pick up your Author Bingo Card the first week of June. We will also be drawing for gift baskets as we all "catch the reading bug" this summer.

Summer Reading is Approaching- - - - -

Are you ready for a challenge? The kids of the Hawarden Public Library are challenging their parents to read this summer. The kids want the parents to track their minutes just as they are tracking what they read.

There are a number of new books--some romantic, some mystery, and some just fun --like the new one by Jimmy Buffett--SWINE NOT?

Just for laughs this summer, pick up something you would not ordinarily read.

I am going to do that and I'll tell you about it the first week of June.

New Books at the Library

Everyone is calling us about Barbara Walter's new tell-all--AUDITION. Be sure to add your name to our reserve list. Remember if there is a book that you want to read, you can RESERVE it just by calling or emailing us at the Hawarden Public Library. Our email is webmaster@hawarden.lib.ia.us

You might also want to read the new book by Mary Higgins Clark, WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

DID YOU KNOW----

that the Hawarden Book Discussion Group has been meeting for over 10 years?
Members--please post about your favorite book in that time period. I will be looking for it.

This month our book is EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert. Tell us what you think about the book.

Summer Reading is Coming

This year we want you to blog about what you are reading. Just post a response
to a comment and let us know what you are enjoying.
We would also like you to track the amount of minutes you read. It is like a
contest between the adults and the kids! What better way to inspire kids to read than to see that adults enjoy reading.

Oh, and remember, the FAMOUS BASKETS will be given away every 2 weeks
The more you read the more entries you will have!

ALL IOWA READS

This year's selection is DIGGING TO AMERICA by Anne Tyler.

Make sure you check it out at your Hawarden Public Library and read it.

It will be the March selection for our book club.

Did you know that our book club is celebrating its tenth year of existence.

JOIN US IN APRIL FOR A READING CLUB CELEBRATION!

THE BOOK THIEF

I am so glad that everyone enjoyed this last book. Hope you are well into our next book, Russell Bank's "Sweet Hereafter". We will meet to discuss this one on February 27 at 10 a.m. at the library.

See you then,

If you have a book to recommend, just post to this blog. I know that some of you are huge readers.