By Carole Howard and the Library Staff

Two wonderful new series of books about international countries are coming to the library, thanks to funds raised by the Pagosa Springs Pilots group at a beach party and silent auction in March. One is a set of 20 books called “Cultures of the World” and the other is a set of 10 called “Middle East Nations in the News: Past, Present and Future.”

The “Cultures of the World” series features superb color photographs plus maps, timelines, a glossary and bibliography. Sections in each book cover the geography, history, government, economy, environment, people, religion, language, arts and food of the country. Among the 18 countries profiled in this series are European nations such as Great Britain and Switzerland, former Communist countries such as Russia and Poland, Asian countries such as Vietnam and Korea, and island nations like Haiti and Cuba.

The “Middle East Nations in the News” series also contains a great deal of information about countries in this important part of the world, plus maps, a glossary, and a special Report Links feature that tells you where to go on the internet to access the very latest information. Nations covered include Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey.

Some of these books already are on the library’s shelves, and more will be coming this summer. They are officially categorized as Junior Non-Fiction, meaning they are aimed at third through seventh grade youngsters. But everyone who has seen the books agrees that they also are excellent for older people, certainly including adults, because they present current information about international countries in such an attractive way.

These books will be invaluable for students doing research for school projects. They replace a series in our collection that was published in the 1980s, and we all know how many changes there have been in the world since then!

Non-fiction self-help: Health and happiness
“The Triple Whammy Cure” by Dr. David Edelberg with Heidi Hough is a three-week plan for women who want to improve their mood, increase their energy, reduce stress and get more sleep. “Stumbling on Happiness” by Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert explains the latest scientific information about how we think and act in a witty, accessible way.

Fiction: Fantasy, mysteries and a thriller
“Child of the Prophecy” is book three in Juliet Marillier’s fantasy trilogy set in ancient Ireland. “The Ironclad Alibi” by Michael Kilian is another in the popular series of Harrison Raines Civil War mysteries. “The Darwin Conspiracy” by John Darnton is a historical mystery that explores the intrigue behind Darwin and his theory of evolution. “Dry Ice” by Stephen White is a psychological thriller, a sequel to “Privileged Information.”

Non-fiction: Politics and fishing
“Worse Than Watergate: The Secret Presidency of George W. Bush” is a look at President Bush and Vice President Cheney’s leadership by John W. Dean, former counsel to President Richard Nixon and himself a key figure in the Watergate scandal. “The New American Story” by Bill Bradley explores what changes need to be made in our parties, politics and citizen activism to ensure America’s future. “All Fishermen Are Liars” is another book about fishing and the sea by best-selling author Linda Greenlaw, the first and only woman swordfish captain in the Grand Banks fleet.

Notecards benefit library
Two different sets of lovely notecards featuring women reading are being sold now by Friends of the Library to raise funds for the library. Each box contains 20 notecards and envelopes with five copies of four different paintings at a cost of only $14.95. The artwork is beautiful, with contributions by famous painters like impressionist Mary Cassett. Another, by George Dunlop Leslie, shows a mother and daughter reading “ Alice in Wonderland.” The notecards are available at the library and at Home Again. They would make a very special gift for an important woman in your life – especially if she loves to read.

Thanks to our donors
Our thanks this week for books and materials to Jan Arnold, Carole Bode, Kelly Cruz, Dana Dellmore, Donna Geiger, Walter Golien, Dick Hamilton, Patty Hart, Fran Jenkins, Ann Pongratz, Wendy Saunders, Sherry Schutz, Steven Stewart and Margaret Wilson. Special thanks also to the Woman’s Civic Club of Pagosa Springs for a major donation which will pay for half the costs of new staff furniture, a well-deserved investment in our employees.

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