Notes from your Alta Library

Happy New Year, 2010. How do we talk about this new year? Do we say "twenty-ten? Or two thousand ten? Or two-oh-one-oh? Or even 2K10? I have heard all of these forms -- and I suppose the common usage will finally determine the "correct" one. We'll wait and see.

The new year has not had a great beginning, with horrible weather, the backlash of the failed Christmas Day terrorist attack, and the multiple political issues left from 2009. So we'll just say it has to get better.

Your Library can serve as a safe haven in the midst of all the chaos. There are books about the past, which show how people have persevered through hard times; about the present, which show us the various views of people who are trying now to make sense of our problems, or provide a way for us to escape into the world as we would like it to be; and books of the future, which show us all sorts of scenarios of space travel, alien invasions, etc.

Today is a snowy day -- a perfect day to curl up under a blanket and immerse oneself in a fantasy world. I am currently reading "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle." It is a very long book (562 pages), but holds my interest. One reviewer says, "an enormous but effortless read, trimmed down to the elements of a captivating story about a mute boy and his dogs." The Library also has the two latest Alex Cross mysteries, as well as the book by Bret Favre's wife, "Don't Bet Against Me" and Dan Brown's latest offering, "The Lost Symbol." These are only a few of many new titles.

We also have some great movies, "Taken", "Inkheart", "Valkyrie", "Doubt", "Hotel for Dogs", and "Marley & Me" are examples.

I'm sure even a quick browse will yield something for everyone. Cuddle up -- and happy reading (or viewing.)

Joyce