International Day of Persons with Disabilities

December 3, 2019 | sobczakd

Since 1992, the United Nations has designated December 3 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The goal is to raise awareness of the global community's understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities. An estimated 48.9 million Americans have a disability. Not all disabilities are visible. A disability is any condition of the body or mind that causes impairment. The impairment can be minor or severe. Day-to-day activities are restricted and interactions with the community can be limited. Here are some resources to learn more about the importance of inclusion...

From the periphery : real-life stories of disability by Pia Justesen

From the Periphery consists of nearly forty first-person narratives from activists and everyday people who describe what it's like to be treated differently by society because of their disabilities. Their stories are raw and painful but also surprisingly funny and deeply moving--describing anger, independence, bigotry, solidarity, and love, in the family, at school, and in the workplace. Inspired by the oral historians Studs Terkel and Svetlana Alexievich, From the Periphery will become a classic oral history collection that increases the understanding of the lived experiences of people with disabilities, their responses to oppression, and the strategies they use to fight for empowerment.

Strangers assume my girlfriend is my nurse by Shane Burcaw

With his signature wit, twenty-something author, blogger, and entrepreneur Shane Burcaw is back with an essay collection about living a full life in a body that many people perceive as a tragedy. From anecdotes about first introductions where people patted him on the head instead of shaking his hand, to stories of passersby mistaking his able-bodied girlfriend for a nurse, Shane tackles awkward situations and assumptions with humor and grace. On the surface, these essays are about day-to-day life as a wheelchair user with a degenerative disease, but they are actually about family, love, and coming of age. Shane Burcaw is one half of the hilarious YouTube duo, Squirmy and Grubs, which he runs with his girlfriend, now fiancee, Hannah Aylward. 

Adult Contemporary Book Discussion January-March 2020

November 19, 2019 | sobczakd

January 20, 2020

City of girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Also available in: e-book | audiobook | e-audiobook | large print

In 1940, nineteen-year-old Vivian Morris has just been kicked out of Vassar College, owing to her lackluster freshman-year performance. Her affluent parents send her to Manhattan to live with her Aunt Peg, who owns a flamboyant, crumbling midtown theater called the Lily Playhouse. There Vivian is introduced to an entire cosmos of unconventional and charismatic characters, from the fun-chasing showgirls to a sexy male actor, a grand-dame actress, a lady-killer writer, and no-nonsense stage manager. But when Vivian makes a personal mistake that results in professional scandal, it turns her new world upside down in ways that it will take her years to fully understand. Ultimately, though, it leads her to a new understanding of the kind of life she craves - and the kind of freedom it takes to pursue it. It will also lead to the love of her life, a love that stands out from all the rest. Now eighty-nine years old and telling her story at last, Vivian recalls how the events of those years altered the course of her life - and the gusto and autonomy with which she approached it. "At some point in a woman's life, she just gets tired of being ashamed all the time," she muses. "After that, she is free to become whoever she truly is."  

February 17, 2020

Adult Contemporary Book Discussion

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Carnegie's maid : a novel by Marie Benedict

Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She's not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh's grandest households. She's a poor farmer's daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the other woman with the same name has vanished, and pretending to be her just might get Clara some money to send back home. If she can keep up the ruse, that is. Serving as a lady's maid in the household of Andrew Carnegie requires skills she doesn't have, answering to an icy mistress who rules her sons and her domain with an iron fist. What Clara does have is a resolve as strong as the steel Pittsburgh is becoming famous for,coupled with an uncanny understanding of business, and Andrew begins to rely on her. But Clara can't let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Revealing her past might ruin her future -- and her family's.With captivating insight and heart, Carnegie's Maid tells the story of one brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie's transformation from ruthless industrialist into the world's first true philanthropist. Discussed on May 18, 2020.

Upcoming sessions

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Adult Contemporary Book Discussion

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The goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don't know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by a longing for his mother, he clings to the one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into a wealthy and insular art community. As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love -- and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle. The Goldfinch is a mesmerizing, stay-up-all-night and tell-all-your-friends triumph, an old-fashioned story of loss and obsession, survival and self-invention. From the streets of New York to the dark corners of the art underworld, this "soaring masterpiece" examines the devastating impact of grief and the ruthless machinations of fate. Discussed on February 18, 2020.

Upcoming sessions

There are no upcoming sessions available.

Adult Contemporary Book Discussion

sobczakd
City of girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

In 1940, nineteen-year-old Vivian Morris has just been kicked out of Vassar College, owing to her lackluster freshman-year performance. Her affluent parents send her to Manhattan to live with her Aunt Peg, who owns a flamboyant, crumbling midtown theater called the Lily Playhouse. There Vivian is introduced to an entire cosmos of unconventional and charismatic characters, from the fun-chasing showgirls to a sexy male actor, a grand-dame actress, a lady-killer writer, and no-nonsense stage manager. But when Vivian makes a personal mistake that results in professional scandal, it turns her new world upside down in ways that it will take her years to fully understand. Ultimately, though, it leads her to a new understanding of the kind of life she craves - and the kind of freedom it takes to pursue it. It will also lead to the love of her life, a love that stands out from all the rest. Now eighty-nine years old and telling her story at last, Vivian recalls how the events of those years altered the course of her life - and the gusto and autonomy with which she approached it. "At some point in a woman's life, she just gets tired of being ashamed all the time," she muses. "After that, she is free to become whoever she truly is." Discussed on January 20, 2020.

Upcoming sessions

There are no upcoming sessions available.

National Family Caregivers Month

November 9, 2019 | sobczakd

November is the time to recognize family caregivers who devote countless, unpaid hours to providing essential personal care to relatives and loved ones who cannot care for themselves. If you're a family caregiver, you are not alone. More than 65 million Americans are taking care of aging or disabled family members. The value of all that combined unpaid caregiving work adds up to an estimated $375 billion! Family caregivers balance the demand of jobs, careers, and raising children to provide care, comfort and compassion to their aging or disabled loved one. The cost of caregiving not only impacts a family's budget, but the stress can take its toll too. Thank you to all those family caregivers! Your community appreciates you. Need to learn more? Check out these resources on caregiving. 

Alzheimer's through the stages : a caregiver's guide, what to expect, what to say, what to do by Mary Moller

Alzheimers books should help everyone involved through this incredibly difficult time. That's why Alzheimer's Through the Stages shows you what you can do for your loved one--and yourself--every step of the way. This book's detailed descriptions of all seven stages of the disease are both helpful and comforting. With each section divided into three parts--what to expect, what to say, and what to do--this is one of the easiest to use Alzheimers books for caregivers.

Ladysitting : my year with Nana at the end of her century by Lorene Cary

From cherished memories of weekends she spent as a child with her indulgent Nana to the reality of the year she spent "ladysitting" her now frail grandmother, Lorene Cary journeys through stories of their time together and five generations of their African American family. Brilliantly weaving a narrative of her complicated yet transformative relationship with Nana--a fierce, stubborn, and independent woman, who managed a business until she was 100--Cary looks at Nana's impulse to control people and fate, from the early death of her mother and oppression in the Jim Crow South to living on her own in her New Jersey home.

Cary knew there might be some reckonings to come. Nana was a force: Her obstinacy could come out in unanticipated ways--secretly getting a driver's license to show up her husband, carrying on a longtime feud with Cary's father. But Nana could also be devoted: to Nana's father, to black causes, and--Cary had thought--to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Facing the inevitable end raises tensions, with Cary drawing on her spirituality and Nana consoling herself with late-night sweets and the loyalty of caregivers. When Nana doubts Cary's dedication, Cary must go deeper into understanding this complicated woman. In Ladysitting, Cary captures the ruptures, love, and, perhaps, forgiveness that can occur in a family as she bears witness to her grandmother's 101 vibrant years of life.

Honoring Veterans

November 9, 2019 | sobczakd

On November 11 every year, is the federal holiday honoring and celebrating all veterans who have served in the United States military. Did you know Veteran's Day was known by another name? At the end of World War I, a truce was declared at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 between the Allies and Germany. On June 1, 1954 Congress passed a bill renaming Armistice with Veterans and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who served as a 5-star general in World War II, signed the bill into law. Some government service buildings and schools will be closed. But our library will be open so come on in and check out some of our materials honoring our veterans!

Every man a hero : a memoir of D-Day, the first wave at Omaha Beach, and a world at war by Ray (Arnold Ray) Lambert

Every Man a Hero is the unforgettable story not only of what happened in the incredible and desperate hours on Omaha Beach, but of the bravery and courage that preceded them, throughout the Second World War--from the sands of Africa, through the treacherous mountain passes of Sicily, and beyond to the greatest military victory the world has ever known. 

Rebuilding Sergeant Peck : how I put body and soul back together after Afghanistan by John M. Peck

Marine Sgt. John Peck survived an IED during the War on Terror that left him with a traumatic brain injury, amnesia, and cost him his marriage. He survived another three years later, one that left him with three and a half limbs missing. He's one of only two living people to survive the flesh-eating fungus he contracted in recovery at Walter Reed, one that left him as a quadruple amputee. And that's only the beginning of his story.

It's National Cat Day!

October 28, 2019 | sobczakd

Do you love cats? If so, then today's your day! It's National Cat Day on October 29! National Cat Day brings awareness to the countless number of cats in shelters who need a forever home. So if you're thinking of adding a fur baby to your family, check out these books from our pet collection! And consider adopting your four-legged friend from a local rescue like the Michigan Orphan Kitten Rescue!

Bailey : no ordinary cat by Erin Merryn

For fans of Grumpy Cat and Cats on Instagram there's a new cat in town--Bailey, No Ordinary Cat--of the Facebook name, is a special cat with a growing fan base, garnering over 2 million views on Ellen's Instagram and videos that have been shared by Good Morning America, ABC News, CBS News, and more. What makes Bailey more addictive than catnip? In addition to his adorable expressions and his hilarious, heartfelt antics, Bailey has a penchant for doing things that are characteristically uncatlike--things like taking bubble baths (and enjoying them), sitting attentively in a chair and being read to (for hours), getting a pet -icure, and his unending patience while co-raising his human siblings Abby and Hannah (yes, there is photographic evidence that Bailey helped with potty-training). If you have a cat you know how independent they are. Bailey, No Ordinary Cat celebrates the unique quirky spirit of this unforgettable feline through four-color photographs and captions from the voice of Bailey himself. Cat lovers will be delighted to peek into the life of their favorite celebrity cat with the huge eyes, huge heart, and huge personality--and an ever-growing following.

Chicken soup for the soul : life lessons from the cat : 101 tales of family, friendship and fun

We learn so much from our feline friends, and along the way they keep us company, provide unconditional love, and share in the ups and downs of our lives. What do we learn from our cats? Everything. Our cats make us better people. If we rescued them, they rescue us back. If we're sad, they comfort us. If we need to have more fun, they show us how. They are our therapists, our role models, and our best friends. You'll laugh a lot, tear up at times, and nod your head in recognition as you read these tales about the wonderful experience of sharing life with a cat. Life lessons from our cats come in many forms, from the hilarious to the heroic. You'll enjoy a wide variety in these 101 entertaining stories.

Experience to Go: Relax and Rejuvenate

October 25, 2019 | sobczakd

Experience to Go Kits are created to help you pursue your best life and try something new. Michigan winters can be stressful on your mind and body! The Relax and Rejuvenate kit is here to bring some relaxation and rejuvenation into your busy week. Get comfy in your favorite cozy spot and use a light therapy lamp to chase away the blues on a sunless day. If you are a light sleeper, try the white noise sound machine! It masks the ambient noise so you can drift off naturally. There's a guidebook to show you the best methods for achieving a deep and restful sleep if you struggle with insomnia. You'll also find music and ebooks on Hoopla and Overdrive just for helping you sleep more soundly. Here are some other resources in our collection for you to browse...

Eat to sleep : what to eat and when to eat it for a good night's sleep--every night by Karman Meyer

We've all heard that it's the turkey that makes you so sleepy after every Thanksgiving dinner, and a cup of warm milk is just the thing to help you settle down for night, but it may surprise you to find just how much what you eat can affect how well you sleep at night. Whether you experience occasional insomnia or suffer from chronic sleeplessness, Eat to Sleep explains which foods to eat and when to eat them in order to get the best night's rest possible. With information on how to easily incorporate "sleepy" foods into your diet, and how to prepare your food to increase its sleep-inducing effectiveness, Eat to Sleep shows you the way to getting optimal shuteye--naturally.

Sleep rituals : 100 practices for a deep and peaceful sleep by 1988- Jennifer (Jennifer Mare) Williamson

Do you have trouble getting--and staying--asleep? Sleep rituals can set the mood for restful slumber and help you drift off in peace--let these recommended bedtime routines be your key to a good night's sleep! This accessible guide offers 100 easy rituals--including sleep-friendly recipes, relaxing yoga poses, calming breathing exercises, soothing meditations, and comforting writing exercises--suited for every type of person. You can even mix and match them for a completely customized bedtime experience and find the perfect solution to banish any sleepless night.

Succeed in School with Less Stress

October 8, 2019 | sobczakd

School is in full swing and so is the pressure to do get good grades. A recent study by Pew Research Center found 60% of students are stressed out. While parents and schools want students to achieve academic excellence, getting to that goal can lead to anxiety and apprehension. Check out some of these books that can offer solutions to managing school stress.

The Her Campus guide to college life : how to manage relationships, stay safe and healthy, handle stress, and have the best years of your life! by Stephanie Kaplan Lewis

Get ready for the best years of your life! From the experts behind Her Campus, this completely updated college guide is bursting with insider tips to help you navigate classes, relationships, and all your extracurriculars--including parties and Greek life, of course. Whether you're just starting freshman year or a seasoned pro as an upperclassman, you'll learn tips and tricks for how to survive: Bonding with your roommate--while setting ground rules for your new space at the same time, Beating the dreaded Freshman 15 without having to give up dessert
--Snagging a date with the cutie from class, Coping with stress and anxiety--even during the insanity of finals week! Navigating student loans and finding the best financial aid, scholarships, and post-graduate loan forgiveness programs, Scoring awesome jobs and internships and transitioning into post-collegiate life, Staying safe on campus so you can enjoy all college has to offer--without horror stories. Complete with fun checklists and helpful worksheets, The Her Campus Guide to College Life, Updated and Expanded Edition shows you how to make the most out of your undergrad experience--in and outside the classroom.

Self-care for college students : from orientation to graduation, 150+ easy ways to stay happy, healthy, and stress-free by Julia Dellitt

As a student in college--you're dealing with a lot. At times this can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining between classes, homework, activities, and building a new social life for yourself. But the secret to making sure these are the best years of your life is making time for self-care. If you've been working for hours on your latest paper, take a walk around campus to get moving. If you're feeling tired after a long week of classes and activities, give yourself permission to say no to those Friday night plans and take a relaxing evening for yourself. Self-Care for College Students offers suggestions that help you tackle every aspect of taking care of yourself from the simplest tasks to rewarding activities that might require more planning. Whether it is making sure you eat a healthy meal to utilizing your school's support services, there is advice for any situation. In this book, find realistic and practical self-care activities that you can try right away to maximize your college experience. Each activity is designed to help you refuel, such as making sure you get enough sleep to developing an exercise routine. Start making time for you and make your college years the best of your life--all while building lifelong habits for success and happiness for years to come.

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