(Combined fiction and nonfiction list from various sources, in no particular order, compiled by E-Connect staff. Blurbs are from the publishers' advance PR materials.)
All the following titles are due to be issued in August 2004. In some cases, the library hasn't yet ordered the title. If you would like to ask that any of the not-yet-ordered titles be ordered, please use this link: http://marinet.lib.ca.us/acquire. Thanks!
Walden: 150th Anniversary Illustrated Edition of an American Classic by Henry David Thoreau
Just 150 years ago, Houghton's predecessor, Ticknor & Fields, published a book called Walden by an unknown writer that has since made history. Here is an anniversary edition, which costs just half a cent less than the price Thoreau paid to build his cabin.
Namath: A Biography by Mark Kriegel
Former sports columnist for the New York Daily News, Kriegel considers Namath as sports hero and cultural icon.
Better Off: Pulling the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende
As part of an MIT program monitoring the impact of technology, grad student Brende spent 12 months with his wife in a Mennonite-like society. His conclusion? Technology makes life harder.
Burro Genius by Victor Villaseñor
Noted Latino novelist/memoirist Villaseñor on becoming a writer, from his first humiliating experiences in the U.S. school system.
White Hot by Sandra Brown
Sayre Lynch returns to her Louisiana hometown to bury her brother Danny, then stays to confront her domineering dad and the possibility that Danny was murdered.
Day of the Dead by J.A. Jance
Bored with retirement, former sheriff Brandon Walker joins a club that investigates cold cases—and confronts a mystery from his past linked to contemporary violence. With a 15-city author tour.
Hark: A Novel of the 87th Precinct by Ed McBain
Doublecrossed in Mischief, the Deaf Man is back, itching for revenge. Another in a series that's been going strong since 1956.
Le Colonial by Kien Nguyen
In 1774, three Frenchmen head to Annan (now Vietnam) to convert the natives—and instead discover a rich and complex civilization that's about to self-destruct. From the author of a celebrated memoir, The Unwanted, which Robert Redford is turning into a film.
Have a suggestion for a title that you think the library should purchase? You can offer your suggestion via the new form on the MARINet website at http://marinet.lib.ca.us/acquire.
At the branches
Computer Tutorials
Explore the Internet.
Use electronic information resources available through the library for finding magazine and newspaper articles, books to match individual reading interests, business resources, and more.
Get help with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
Access library information from the Web-based catalog.
Ask a reference librarian or call 507-4049 for more information.
The Brown Bag Book Club
On Wednesday, July 28, 12 noon to 1 p.m., the Book Club will discuss The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich. New members are always welcome!
For more information, call Becky or Livia at 499.6058 or e-mail to ldimare@co.marin.ca.us.
Under the Dome Photography
The Dome Gallery is transported first to the wheat fields of the Palouse region of eastern Washington and Idaho and then to the people of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. This international magic carpet ride is brought to us by the photographs of Marin Photography Club President, Jane Allen. Jane’s exhibit will continue through July 20.
Visit the Marin Photography Club at http://www.marinphotoclub.org/.
Teen Summer Reading is in full swing at the Corte Madera Library. Teens (entering 7th grade - 12th) are awarded prizes for writing brief reviews of the books they read this summer. The Teen book reviews will be posted in the Teen area to assist fellow readers in choosing good reads. A special key ring as well as smoothie and taco coupons are just some of the awards. Check out the Teen area and sign up for Teen Summer Reading at the Corte Madera Library.
The Friends of the Corte Madera Library are looking for new Board members. Meetings are held every other month on Wednesday mornings at the Corte Madera Library. Anyone interested in more information should call Nancy Davis at 924-6219.
Fractured Fairy Tales with Willy Claflin and Maynard Moose, for ages 5 and up. Wednesday, July 7, 7:30 p.m.
Stomp, Clap, Wiggle & Sing with Banjo-ologist Gordy Ohliger. Ages 3 and up. Thursday, July 22, 11:00 a.m.
Louis Pearl, the Amazing Bubble Guy, entertains ages 4 and up. Tuesday, August 3, 11:00 a.m.
Book Club
The Fairfax Library Book Club meets the first Thursday of each month, 7-9 p.m. Our Summer selections are:
July 1 - The Dive from Clausen’s Pier, by AnnPacker
August 5 - The Piano Tuner, by Daniel Mason
September 2 - The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold
Books are available through the Marin County Free Library. You can check availability and reserve the books at http://marinet.lib.ca.us/screens/opacmenu.html, or by calling the library at 457-5629. If you'd like to purchase your book, BookBeat in Fairfax offers our members a 15% discount.
Internet Tutoring
Free training with experienced computer professionals who will individualize the training to meet your skill level. Call 457-5629 to set up an appointment for a one-hour session.
Local Author Hazlitt Krog
Tuesday, July 27, 7:00 pm. local author Hazlitt Krog talks about his book, Attack of the Killer Video Book: Tips & Tricks for Young Directors. From the back cover: "Get ready for 'Attack of the Killer Video Book,' your first line of defense agtainst shooting boring videos. This hilariously helpful guide explores every stage of video production, from brainstorming, to organizing a shoot, to finally piecing it all together." Teens and others will learn about scriptwriting and storyboarding, cunning camera work, safe special effects, video editing, and more!
Marin City's Book Club
Tuesday, July 20th at 7:00 pm, the book club will discuss The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon. "A stark, funny and original first novel...[with] one of the strangest and most convincing characters in recent fiction." -- The New York Times Book Review. "...the novel brims with touching, ironic humor. The reselt is an eye-opening work in a unique and compelling literary voice." -- Publishers Weekly
Children's Events in July
Wednesday, July 7, 11:00 am "Rock to the Caribbean Rhythms of Ashebe"
Wednesday, July 14, 11:00 am "Watch Bubbling Surprises with The Bubble Lady"
Thursday, July 22, 11:00 am "Opera Piccola Sing 'The Guests,' A Story of Hospitality"
Teens Only Summer Reading Program
Win Prizes...Have Fun! Must be 13-18 years
June 23 - July 30, 2004
Sign up at the Teen Area or Reference Desk. Read books, magazines, plays, poetry, or your summer reading assignments. Watch movies based on books. Listen to books on cassette or CD. Write a review of what you read, view or listen to. Review forms are in the Teen Area and at the Reference Desk. Win a food gift certificate by writing a review. There are also weekly drawings of reviews for $15 BEST BUY gift certificates.
Pizza Party For Teen Summer Reading Program
Friday, July 30, 7:00 pm Pizza Party for teens and parents to recognize all teens who participate in 'Teens Only' summer reading program.
Willy Claflin Wednesday, July 7th at 11:00am
Award winning storyteller, Willy Claflin, returns with his faithful sidekick, Maynard Moose! Their fractured tales will tickle your funny bone! *For ages 5 and up, at the request of Mr. Claflin.
Pajama Storytime Wednesday, July 14th at 7:00pm
Gather round the campfire for stories, songs and a craft. Marshmallows provided.
For ages 3 and up.
Magic Dan! Tuesday, July 20th at 11:00am
Magic Dan is guaranteed to make frowns vanish and smiles appear as he brings his own special magic to our library.
For ages 3 and up.
Nancy Stewart Tuesday, July 27th at 7:00pm
Recording artist Nancy Stewart joins up from Seattle. Her upbeat songs will have the whole family singing along.
For ages 3 and up.
Introduction to the Internet
In this free class, beginners will learn how to use a Web browser and search engines and will be introduced to some useful Web sites. Stop by the reference desk or call 897-1142 to reserve a space. Tuesday, July 13, 1:00-3:15 p.m.
South Novato Library opened June 5th with a standing room only crowd of 200+ people of all ages. Everyone is welcome to come see the new location in Hangar 6 at Hamilton Landing in the old Hamilton Field. New hours are:
Come visit our new location with new Teen programs and - this summer only thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Library - three additional programs to celebrate our new home.
Teen Improv workshop and performance for ages 13 and older on Thursday, 7/8. The workshop at 4pm will be taught by Jeff Weissman, Hollywood actor and teacher. Learn acting and improvisation skills to use in a show presented at 6:30pm the same day. Sign up at the Reference Desk.
The Bubble Lady Tuesday creates her delightful bubble constructions on July 13, at 6:30pm for all ages.
Gordy Ohliger, Banjologist, tells Tall Tales in the tradition of Mark Twain with
Silly Banjo Songs on Thursday, July 22, at 6:30pm for ages 8 up. Come listen to Gordy share Mark Twain style wit and play vintage banjos. Don't miss the gourd, goat gut and skin banjo!
The South Novato Library Reading Club meets the last Thursday of every month at 6:30pm. New members are welcome to help pick the next reading selections. Please come find out about our Reading Club. Books are available through the Marin County Free Library system.
In the month of July, the West Marin libraries will host Nancy & MaryLee in concert.
Songwriter Nancy Stewart will perform her award-winning songs and traditional songs, with her best friend and long-time collaborator, MaryLee. Bring the entire family & lots of friends, and join us in welcoming them to West Marin from Seattle.
July 26 11 am San Geronimo Valley Library Performing "Bee Boppin' Bugs"
3 pm Bolinas Library Performing "Songs from Around the World"
7 pm Inverness Library Performing "Books that Sing"
July 30 11 am Point Reyes Station Library Performing "Dinosaurs"
3 pm Stinson Beach Library Performing "Sea Songs"
The Library has a new collection of eBooks, accessible from the Library's databases page. Safari Tech Books Online offers 25 high-demand technology eBooks. You can read these online, anytime, from home, work, or school with a MARINet library card! Some of the titles in the collection are: Access Database Design & Programming, Learning Red Hat Linux, MP3: The Definitive Guide, and Web Design in a Nutshell. To see the list of books available, click on our link to Safari from the databases page, and click on "Bookshelf" in the yellow bar at the top of the page. To select a particular book, click on the title. Then click on the gray "Start Reading" button on the right. The table of contents for the book shows up in the left-hand navigation, bar. Just click on a particular section to skip to it. Please note that you can also print and e-mail individual sections using the "Print" and "E-mail" buttons at the top and bottom of every page. Enjoy!
Are you a reading trailblazer? Visit your Marin County Free Library this summer and sign up for our Summer Reading Game 2004 and Discover New Trails @ Your Library.
In our library explorations we've discovered lots of fantastic books for families to fish through this summer. Pitch your tent next to some beloved old classics or stake your claim to some hot new titles.
Children, including pre-readers, may read for prizes all summer long. Wonderful performers and programs are scheduled, along with raffle contests and guessing games. For a detailed list check out our Events page and don't miss our ongoing weekly storytimes (Hint: choose "monthly view").
Teens can explore our nifty Teen Web Page and play the Teen Reading Game at participating branches (Corte Madera, Marin City, & Novato).
Of course summertime is the perfect time to go to the movies. Why don't you check out some books that were made in to movies. Read the book first, it's always better than the movie! Now Playing pathfinder
Summer Reading Game prizes & procedures vary slightly from branch to branch, so visit your local branch for more detailed information about start dates, performance reservations, age limits, and more. Then pull out your library card, lace up your hiking boots, and hit the nearest trail that leads to your local Marin County Free Library branch, and best of all, it's free!
Generously funded by the Marin County Friends of the Library.
No Bargain Sunday in July
The Book Place will NOT be open for Bargain Sunday on July 4. Our next Bargain Sunday will be August 1.
If you haven’t seen our Grant Avenue store in Novato, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. It’s big, bright, and full of wonderful books. We have a separate room for children, as well as a clearance area with dollar hardbacks and quarter softbacks. Mystery/thriller hardbacks are $2, other hardbacks are $3, pocket paperbacks are 75¢, and large or special paperbacks are $2. Prices for children’s books are incredible: $1 hardbacks, and 50¢ or 25¢ paperbacks. Library surplus books are $2. Even recent fiction and collectibles are priced well below market prices. We are definitely worth the trip! Please stop by and bring your friends, too.
And there are lots of opportunities to help out at The Book Place, too. If you’d like to help with sales, we have openings on the second Saturday of every month from 10:00 to 1:00, and on the fourth Tuesday morning, also 10:00 to 1:00. Substitutes are also needed. Call Nancy Montgomery (883-5628) if you are interested.
We also need volunteers to help sort our donated books. Call Ruth Arnold (892-0238) to arrange for training in sorting.
Louis Pearl, the amazing Bubble Man, delighted children and parents during his June 16 visit to the Civic Center Library. The Bubble Man's presentation is a part of the on-going program of summer events funded by the Marin County Friends of the Library for this year's Discover New Trails at Your Library Summer Reading Game.
These video clips were taken by Greg Jan, library supporter.
Immerse yourself in the library's new additions to the California Room Digital Archive--listen to the voices of Frank Lloyd Wright & others who built the Marin County Civic Center! Find out what Frank Lloyd Wright thinks of organic architecture, how the Civic Center we know is different from Wright's original designs, why the Civic Center roof is blue, and more! This special part of the site was created by the Anne T. Kent California Room and premieres at the 2004 Marin County Fair on July 1. You can also access this site on the web at: http://www.co.marin.ca.us/library/crm/wright.html