By Amy Notarius
Rowan Public Library
One type of question library staff hear often is a request for a certain type of book. Can you help me find a scary, funny or exciting book? A good biography or mystery? But so many books fit into these categories, how do you choose a certain one?
This is when a reading guide like Hallie Ephron’s “1001 Books for Every Mood,” available at Rowan Public Library, can come in handy. Ephron, a critically acclaimed writer and book columnist, divides her book into a variety of interesting categories by completing the statement, “I’m in the mood…” to dream, for historical, for grand adventure, to trust no one, etc.
Within each category, Ephron offers a brief summary of each work listed, rates the work’s “literary merit” and indicates, using simple icons, whether it’s funny, easy reading, a page turner, etc.One nice aspect of this book is Ephron’s combining fiction and non-fiction in the same category. For example, Ephron’s section on books about music (“if you’re in the mood for a musical interlude”) include both Lee Smith’s “Devil’s Dream,” a fictionalized portrait of the roots of country music, and Alan Lomax’s award-winning nonfiction work about the Mississippi Delta, “The Land Where the Blues Began.”
Arranging books by categories is helpful for anyone trying to locate titles on certain topics, from members of book clubs to older teens or adults who need to write a book report or essay.Ephron’s many titles may seem like a lot to choose from, but I found the concise summaries helpful for reminding me of books I missed the first time around, like Julia Alvarez’ “How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents,” which Ephron calls a “lovely, funny, serious book about the complicated process of finding one’s own identity.”
Next time you’re in the mood for a good book, check out Ephron’s “1001 Books for Every Mood” or other books about reading, at Rowan Public Library.
Computer classes: Classes are free. Sessions are 90 minutes long. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Dates and times are subject to change without notice.
Headquarters ó Thursday, 2:30 p.m., Absolute Beginners Yahoo e-mail; Sept. 10, 7 p.m., Absolute Beginners Computer Class; Sept. 14, 7 p.m., Absolute Beginners Access; Sept. 17, 2:30 p.m., Health Resources on the Web; Sept. 21, 7 p.m., Access: Beyond the Basics; Sept. 24, 2:30 p.m., Absolute Beginners Internet Searching.
South ó Sept. 10, 11 a.m., N.C. Live; Sept. 14, 7 p.m., E-Mail Class.
East ó Sept. 22, 7p.m., Basic Windows.
Children’s storytime: Sept. 14-Nov. 19, weekly story time. for more information, call 704-216-8234.
Headquarters ó Tiny Tots (infants-23 months), Wednesday, 11 a.m.; Toddler Time (2 years) Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Preschool Time (3-5-year-olds) Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; Noodlehead (4-8 years), Thursdays, 4 p.m.
South ó Preschool Time, Mondays, 10:30 a.m.; Noodlehead, Mondays, 4 p.m.; Toddler Time, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Baby Time, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
East ó Toddler Time, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Preschool Time, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Baby Time, Thursdays, 11 a.m.
Teen program: Does your locker need some help Come to the library to create a denim lockert pocket or marble magnets for your locker. For information, call 704-216-8234. East, Sept. 21, 5:30-7 p.m.; South, Sept. 21, 5-6:30 p.m.; headquarters, Sept. 28, 5:30-7 p.m.
Tuesday Night at the Movies: All movies are at 6:30 p.m. All movies are rated G, PG or PG 13. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn and lemonade.
Childen of all ages will enjoy September’s movies celebrating the birthday of author Roald Dahl.
Tuesday, “James and Giant Peach”; Sept. 8, “The BFG”; Sept. 15, “Witches; Sept. 22, “Matilda”; Sept. 29, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Displays: Headquarters ó Hispanic Coalition and Blues and Jazz Festival; South ó Hispanic heritage by Suzanne White. East ó Girl Scout troop.Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.