December 30, 2013

January 2014 LibraryReads


LibraryReads is a monthly list that shares the top ten books librarians across the country loved reading. Think of it as a nationwide "Staff Picks" list! (View the complete list.)

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches: A Flavia de Luce Novel by Alan Bradley

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

Orfeo by Richard Powers

December 26, 2013

Employee Spotlight: Anita

Anita is our Technical Services Manager and has worked here for 27 years. 

Favorite Authors:
Gooseberry Patch
Southern Living Books

Favorite Music: 
Country music
George Strait
Alan Jackson
Chris Young

Favorite Movies/TV: 
Dancing with the Stars
American Idol
America's Got Talent
 The Voice
Dirty Dancing
The Sound of Music

Hobbies:
Crafting
Gardening
Reading
Cooking
Listening to music

What she likes best about her job: 
Anita enjoys working with her awesome department and knowing we are providing so many wonderful services to the people of Tipton County. 

Something you may not know about Anita:
She won the Indiana Dairy Association's Annual Cooking Contest several years ago with her no bake cheesecake recipe. 

December 18, 2013

If You Like Downton Abbey


Re-watch the show from the beginning:
Season 1 on DVD - Place a request
Season 2 on DVD - Place a request
Season 3 on DVD - Place a request
Season 4 on DVD - Place a request


The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes 
Non-fiction 791.45 FEL

Behind the Scenes at Downton Abbey by Emma Rowley
Non-fiction 791.45 ROWLEY
Request this book

Real Life Downton Abbey : How Life Was Really Lived in Stately Homes a Century Ago 
by Jacky Hyams 
Non-fiction 941.0823 HYA
Request this book


Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle 
by the Countess of Carnarvon
Non-fiction 942.2 CARNARVON
Request this book


Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey 
by the Countess of Carnarvon
Non-fiction 941.082 CARNARVON
Request this book


Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid’s Memoir That Inspired Upstairs, Downstairs 
and Downton Abbey 
by Margaret Powell
Non-fiction 641.5 POW
Request this book


Life Below Stairs : True Lives of Edwardian Servants by Alison Maloney
Non-fiction 331.7 MALONEY
Request this book


Servants: A Downstairs History of Britain from the Nineteenth Century to Modern Times
by Lucy Lethbridge
Non-fiction 331.7 LETHBRIDGE


Habits of the House by Fay Weldon
Fiction WELDON


While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax
Fiction WAX

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin
Fiction GOODWIN


The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Fiction MORTON

Summerset Abbey by T.J. Brown
Fiction BROWN


December 11, 2013

Skinnygirl Solutions by Bethenny Frankel


Summary: From New York Times best-selling author and reality television star Bethenny Frankel, the modern woman’s guide to looking fabulous while balancing health, home, and career. With Bethenny’s favorite tips for managing every aspect of her nonstop life, including the launch of her new daytime talk show, Skinnygirl Solutions gives all women the skills to make smart, everyday choices that will lead to a fabulous Skinnygirl life.

Brittany's comments: I have to confess that I've never seen Bethenny's reality shows, and I haven't yet had a chance to catch her new daytime talk show on the air. But I have watched Bethenny make several appearances on Ellen's talk show and have tried several of her products, so I was interested in listening to this audiobook and hearing what she had to say.

Bethenny shared practical tips for improving many different areas of your life and gave examples from her own day-to-day life with plenty of details on how she manages to fit it all in. Each chapter was packed full of useful information. You know when you're browsing Pinterest and you come across a new idea for simplifying your life, and you ask yourself "Why did I never think of that before?!" Well, this book made me ask that question several times. I found several new ideas to try among all the tips on cooking, cleaning, organizing, travelling, entertaining,  using a smartphone for time management, and more.

I really enjoyed the section which discussed diet and exercise, and I liked Bethenny's philosophy of eating with common sense--no foods are off limits and no-calorie counting allowed. Think of your diet as a bank account--just keep it in balance and check yourself so you don't go overboard. Then you can enjoy everything in moderation.I appreciated her honesty about healing her unhealthy relationship with food and exercise and loved the advice to never use food as a reward or exercise as a punishment. Now I'm interested in reading Naturally Thin for more of her advice on common sense healthy living.

I recommend Skinnygirl Solutions to fans of Bethenny and anyone else who wants to get a jump start on their New Year's Resolutions!

December 4, 2013

December 2013 LibraryReads List

LibraryReads is a monthly list that shares the top ten books librarians across the country loved reading. Think of it as a nationwide "Staff Picks" list! (View the complete list.)

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished: The Third Rule of Scoundrels by Sarah MacLean

The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani

The Secret Rooms: A True Story of a Haunted Castle, a Plotting Duchess, and a Family Secret by Catherine Bailey

Dangerous Women edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois

My Age of Anxiety: Fear, Hope, Dread, and the Search for Peace of Mind by Scott Stossel

Innocence by Dean Koontz