What is that book icon on the library's website? New Books Blog!

 

There are five icons on the library's website. Three are identifiable as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The newspaper icon is this, the library blog.

But there's a book icon. Have you ever wondered where to find a list of new books in the library? Find that list on the New Books Blog!

In the new books blog, each book cover and description is pulled from the KLIC library catalog.  The posts are arranged by the Library of Congress call numbers to make it easier to find new books in subject areas.  Each post has the title of the area covered; for example, Sciences, Medicine, and Agriculture (LC Category Q-S).

Here is what a new book blog post looks like:

The linked title in each posts takes you to the library catalog entry in OneKLIC for that book. A new books blog post is great way to see the book cover, get a short description, and to find the book location in KLIC! New books are often placed on display shelves before being placed in their call number collection. If the library catalog says the book is available, but it is not in the call number section, peruse the various new book displays throughout the library.

You can subscribe to the new books blog too! Enter your email address within the subscription box found inside the new book blog, and whenever it is updated, you will know!

Book Review: Barack Before Obama: Life before the Presidency

 

Review by Dwight Hunter

David Katz found himself in a car with Illinois state legislator Barack Obama. This starts the journey pictured in the book Barack Before Obama.

This online book from the KLIC Library Overdrive collection presents a stunning visual display of Barack Obama before he was president, before he was even US Senator. A volunteer campaign staffer in the early days of a primary election run for US Senate, David Katz was able to befriend the candidate, his advisers, and his family. The comfort level of all who were pictured is very telling. From the comfort of Sasha and Malia to Katz's camera, to capturing Obama in his favorite barbershop, and the capturing the rapt attention of VFW veterans gathering around then US Senate candidate Obama.

President Obama stated in his foreword for the book that he was grateful Katz was there to document his primary run for US Senate and beyond.

When Katz joined the Obama US Senate campaign, Obama was in third place for the Democratic primary election. This was in 2004. And 4 years later, Obama was elected president of the United States. Katz was there to document this appealing pictorial biography of the pre-presidential Barack Obama.

The quality of the pictures, the detailed captions for the pictures, and the story of the 2004 to 2008 time-frame for Barack Obama and his family makes this pictorial biography a book that can't be put down until the end.

This book is available online through the KLIC Library Overdrive collection.

From the KLIC Shelf Elf -- Discover more about women in these KLIC books

March Madness, Mid-semester, Spring Break, an election year, Leap Year – MUCH going on this spring.  Do not let all that is happening to distract from the 100^th anniversary of the 19^th Amendment, women’s suffrage.   On the KLIC shelves, discover more about women in a variety of fields highlighted by some of the newer KLIC books.

Geek Girls Don’t Cry: Real-life Lessons from Fictional Female Characters by Andrea Towers HQ1206 .T69 2019  
With the aid of Hermione Granger or Princess Leia, fans can find inspiration to overcome their own problems and be brave. Andrea Towers outlines some of the primary traits heroic women can rely upon, like resilience, self-acceptance, and confidence. Also included are insights from psychologists and personal anecdotes from courageous real-life women involved in pop culture.

200 Women who Will Change the Way You See the World created by Geoff Blackwell and Ruth Hobday; photographs by Kieran E. Scott HQ1154 .B54 2017
Beautiful photographs combine with brief interviews of women all over the world and in a wide variety of professions – film directors, actors, social activists, politicians, and writers explain their journeys in one page interviews.

Hollywood Heroines: the Most Influential Women in Film History edited by Laura L.S. Bauer PN1995.9.W6 H68 2019
Individual, signed essays cover a wide range of women in film making; includes cast directors, costume designers, animators, makeup, and musicians. 

 

Tigerbelle: the Wyomia Tyus Story by Wyomia Tyus and Elizabeth Terzakis GV697.J69 T977 2018
Wyomia Tyus, a Tennessee State University graduate, earns the gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and is the first person to achieve this; but remains relatively unknown.  Her memoir helps to inspire and inform about women in sports as well as close the gap about an important athlete.

Good Booty: Love and Sex, Black & White, Body and Soul in American Music by Ann Powers ML3477 .P69 2017
In light of the #MeToo movement and more women in the political arena, Ann Powers shows how music is constantly involved for centuries with gender, sex, love, freedom, and expression. Explore the various decades which show influencers of Britney and Beyoncé as well as learn more about these contemporary artists.  

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky    JUV Q141 .I33 2016  
Throughout history, women risk all for scientific endeavors in the areas of math, entomology (insects), astronomy, medicine, biology, and information technology.  This book uses colorful and quirky illustrations to highlight these trail-blazing women, mention current women as well as list films, websites, and other books to explore.

Find these and other books in KLIC’s OneKLIC or ask about them at the service desk.  For the latest and greatest book additions, follow this blog or follow the KLIC New Books blog

Book Review--The Moralist: Woodrow Wilson and the world he made

By Dwight Hunter

Patricia O'Toole has the gift to write. The first chapter went by so fast that I was amazed at how smooth the reading experience was. O'Toole is a lucid writer giving vivid descriptions. The superb writing makes this a recommended read. The subject, Woodrow Wilson, gives you an eye-opening background to this president and his global legacy.

The South had a strong determination upon Wilson's complicated personality. Add those complexities with his lack of political skills, like compromising, and you have Wilsonian policies. Those complexities matched Wilson up to his responses to the suffrage movement and women voting, racism, and letting go of neutrality. The Wilson legacy is described in gripping details, especially in Wilson's Shakespearean moments going between neutrality and declaring war in World War I.

More to the point of Wilson's complexities, in domestic affairs, he was an economic progressive with great success in leveling the economic playing field, but he was behind the times on racial equality and women’s suffrage. As a Southern boy during the Civil War, he knew the ravages of war, and as president he refused to lead the country into World War I until he was convinced that Germany posed a direct threat. However, once he committed to war, Wilson presided over the harshest suppression of political dissent in American history.

Author Jon Meacham described this book as "a wonderful book. With a sure hand and clarity of thought, Patricia O'Toole has given us a Woodrow Wilson in all his complexity. In one way or another, from our role in the world to our views of each other at home, much of our America can be traced to the epic events of the Wilson presidency, and O'Toole, tells that story with grace and insight."

Check out this book from the KLIC library and discover Wilsonian policies effects on America by reading about the moralist, Woodrow Wilson.

Book Review: 100 Things Predators Fans should know & do before they die

By Dwight Hunter

This book has a special appeal to me -- I am a Preds fanatic!

Having an NHL team just up the road in Nashville adds to the connection here of being a Preds fan. I was hooked on the NHL when I was in my late twenties and I attended my first NHL match. I was hooked ever since.

One thing about this book - it is written by a true professional writer - John Glennon. Glennon has covered Nashville sports for 20 years including 12 years as the Preds beat writer for the Tennessean. His knowledge and connections are what makes the book connect with anyone interested in the Preds.

Predators fans have attended a game at Bridgestone Arena, or watched the captivating games of the 2017 Stanley Cup. But only real fans can tell you the origins of the catfish toss or know the full story of how hockey first came to Music City. This book is the ultimate resource for the Smashville faithful. Glennon collected essential Preds knowledge and trivia and ranked them from 1 to 100. All Predators fans should read this! This book offered so many unique facts about the Preds and it was such a fun read!

For example, fact number 41. Check out the Fang that formed a logo

Glennon writes:

 "One of the biggest skeletons in the Predators' history is on display for all to see. It's one that made its mark on the franchise well before the first Nashville skater took the ice. Predators fans interested in taking a look at the partial skeletal remains of Smilodon floridanus--the saber-toothed cat that inspired the team's logo, nickname, and Gnash mascot--can do so at the Bridgestone Arena's Fan Information Center, near the main entrance."

What about the saber-tooth cat? In 1971, the skeletal remains was unearthed during construction for what is now the UBS Tower at 4th Avenue and Union. A cave where the nine-inch long fang and cat skeleton was found was also discovered. A fan vote narrowed the choice down to the Predators and the logo is of a saber-tooth cat with a nine-inch fang.

Check out this new book from the KLIC library and learn about the Nashville Predators!

Late Spring reads from the KLIC Shelf Elf

As nicer weather, longer days, and a slower pace arrive, check out some of KLIC’s newer books.  Be on the lookout for the revival of the New Books blog to view our latest additions.  The KLIC Shelf Elf recommends the following titles either to self-improve, discover a career path, or escape into another world.

Genius Habit: How One Habit Can Radically Change Your Life and Your Work by Laura Garnett
HF5381 .G277 2019  
In a workbook-like style, discover understanding about yourself and feel better about work, a career path, or feel better about your work making a contribution.  The author uses research from many leading thinkers in business, wellness, and psychology to show how having a passion allows one to feel better about work and allows one to find a job that helps one contribute more.

How to Grill Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Flame-Cooked Food by Mark Bittman
TX840.B3 B545 2018
From appetizers to breads, desserts, as well as the standard burgers and steaks, this book gives the basics of grilling in a clear but appealing style.  Part of the How to Cook Everything series, Chef Bittman includes clear photographs, additions or variations to over 250 recipes as well as grilling techniques and vegan substitutions. 

Women with Money: Judgment-Free Guide to Creating to Creating the Joyful, Less Stressed, Purposeful (and, Yes, Rich) Life you Deserve by Jean Sherman Chatzky
HG179 .C5364 2018
Women have a unique relationship with money as they probably earn less, outlive a spouse and continue to under-earn what men make.  Women use money to create a life they want so whether a life goal is owning a business, buying real estate, assisting with aging parents, or educating children to be financially independent, this book can provide either good ideas or thought-provoking questions as prompts.

Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
PS3619.O4373 U54 2017 
In Solomon’s debut, Aster, a slave, travels in space aboard the HSS Matilda, a space vessel that more resembles the antebellum South than a modern, egalitarian environment.  In spite of being considered an ogre or a freak, she may be the one that can begin revolt the harsh conditions and prepare them for arrival at The Promised Land.

Peanut of Blind Faith Farm by Jim Thompson, illustrations by Rebecca Gavney Driscoll
JUV PZ10.3.T3697 Pea 2017
One summer, a tiny lamb arrives but shows no interest in the other sheep; her owners realize Peanut is blind.  How can Peanut survive if she cannot see the other sheep or her surroundings?  Peanut surprises with her intelligence and strength and in time, becomes one of the farm’s stars.  Soft watercolor and ink illustrations show how well Peanut overcomes her limitations.