LIBRARY NEWS

Travel books inspire trips near home and around the world

By Carole Howard and the Library Staff

With summer being the season when so many people like to travel, we offer you a small sample of new helpful and enjoyable travel books available in your library:

• “Guide to Colorado Historic Places” by Thomas J. Noel covers more than 600 buildings, sites and districts all over the state that have been restored through the State Historical Fund since 1991.
• In “The Cannibal Queen: An Aerial Odyssey Across America,” novelist Stephen Coonts turns his storytelling talent to nonfiction in this account of his explorations of America via a vintage biplane in the summer of 1991.
• “Backcountry Treks” by Discovery Travel Adventures offers practical wisdom from seasoned naturalists, with ideas for touring, lodging, camping, biking, canoeing and other pursuits along the way, plus more than 250 full-color images and maps.
• “The Violet Shyness of Their Eyes: Notes from Nepal/revised edition” by Barbara J. Scot shares the author’s experiences traveling in Nepal.
• “1,000 Places To See Before You Die” by travel writer Patricia Schultz describes the best the world has to offer in terms of sacred ruins, grand hotels, wildlife preserves, hilltop villages, castles, festivals, reefs, restaurants, cathedrals, opera houses and museums. This is a very special book that helps revive memories of past trips and inspires you to plan new ones.

Of course, travel books are only useful when they are up to date. If you have current travel guides that you no longer are using, please consider donating them to the library so they can be enjoyed by others.

New fiction: Mysteries and adventure

Catherine Coulter’s latest thriller is “Double Take,” set in San Francisco. Richard Bachman has written “Blaze,” a story of a kidnapping set in Maine. “Black Silk Handkerchief” by D. L. Birchfield is about an Oklahoma Choctaw lawyer who becomes an outdoor photographer instead. “The Man From Stone Creek” and “A Wanted Man” both are pioneer adventures set in Arizona by Linda Lael Miller. “The Clovis Incident” is a debut mystery set in New Mexico by Pari Noskin Taichert.

Books by Colorado authors

“Morgan’s Way” is a novel about a man who came to Colorado at age 16 with a dream, written by southwest Colorado writer Jan Ritter. “The Vote” is a novel about American women’s right to vote by Sybil Downing, a fourth-generation Coloradan. “Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy” and “Imperial Ambitions: Conversations on the Post 9/11 World” are written by foreign policy analyst Noam Chomsky, who lives in Boulder.

More political books

“Outrage” by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann offers ways to combat illegal immigration, Congressional corruption and other problems in America. Fox News political analyst Dick Morris has also written “Off With Their Heads: Traitors, Crooks and Obstructionists in American Politics, Media and Business.” “A Heart, A Cross and A Flag: America Today” contains writings by Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan from 9/11/01 to 9/11/02, a pivotal year in our nation’s history. “Fanatics and Fools: The Game Plan For Taking Back America” is Arianna Huffington’s account of her own political awakening. “Naked in Bagdad” is a look at the Iraq war by NPR senior foreign correspondent Anne Garrels.

How-to and self-help books

“Perfect Balance” by Dr. Robert Greene presents a comprehensive program of information, diet and exercise for reaching hormonal balance. “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferriss offers a step-by-step guide to luxury lifestyles. “A Perfect Mess” by Eric Abrahamson and David Freedman explores the authors’ contention that crammed closets, cluttered offices and on-the-fly planning make the world a better place.

Religious books

“Culturally Incorrect” by Rod Parsley expresses outrage about the media and academic elite who appear unwilling to tolerate anyone who believes in absolute right or wrong, the sanctity of human life, the biblical definition of marriage, and a God who holds us accountable for our actions. “Breaking the DaVinci Code” by Darrell L. Bock helps readers distinguish fictional entertainment from genuine historical elements of Christian faith. “Tibetan Buddhist Life” by Don Farber is a testament to a culture that is fragile and in danger of vanishing. “The Nag Hammadi Library,” edited by James M. Robinson, is a new edition of the definitive translation of the Gnostic Scriptures discovered in Egypt in 1945, complete in one volume.

Thanks to our donors

Last week was a super week for contributions, as 166 items (books, audio books and music CDs) were donated. For a generous monetary donation, we thank W.C. and Clareve Enmon from Austin, TX. For books and materials we thank Lynn Calhoun, Jan Cunningham, Duane Hartleip, Kathleen Isberg, Sarah Mashue and Janet Roher. Actually, our record week for donations was 1,056 a few months ago. We are so grateful for all your support. Your generosity helps make your library the wonderful community resource that it is.

Quotable quote

“A word to parents: The biggest favor you can do for your kids is to have plenty of books around the house. Read to them, read around them, be a family that reads. And if you’re not such a good reader yourself, it’s never too late to learn.” -- Auto executive Lee Iacocca

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