By Pam Everhardt Bloom

Rowan Public Library

Curiosity, a desire to know, is a trait quite prevalent at Rowan Public Library. Browse the New Book area next time you visit the library or use the “New Book” link on our online catalog. If you’re curious about people and their motivations, the following selections might trigger your curiosity.

“A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life,” by Brian Grazer and Charles Fishman, describes and gives accounts of Grazer’s “curiosity conversations” and his philosophy of living a creative life. You might recognize Grazer if you saw his photo and his trademark wild hair even if you don’t recognize the name.

Listed as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2007, he is the producer of movies such as “A Beautiful Mind,” “Apollo 13” and “Splash.” Grazer describes curiosity “as the state of having an open mind … a kind of receptivity.” The main chapters make a fascinating read; however, take time to check out the addendums. I particularly liked the notes chapter and referred to it constantly while reading the book.

The new book shelves at the library also hold new copies of older editions. Published in 2001, “Socrates Café: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy,” is a title possibly familiar. Author Christopher Phillips is also curious and on a mission to bring philosophical inquiry to the masses. With chapters ranging from “What is the Question?” to “Whom Do You Need” to “Why Ask Why,” the book concludes with notes on how to start your own Socrates Café.

“Find the Good: Unexpected Life Lessons from a Small-Town Obituary Writer,” by Heather Lende, provides entertaining stories and insight to the question, “How do you live a more meaningful life?”  Lende has written obituaries in a small town in Alaska for almost 20 years. She compares writing obituaries to living a life – “…we are all writing our own obituary every day by how we live. The best news is that there’s still time for additions and revisions before it goes to press.” This short book is honest, funny and revealing about the life we choose to live.

Totally different from the three somewhat philosophical books above, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing,” by Marie Kondo is located in the 648 Housekeeping Section according to Mr. Dewey. I found this book so culturally different from my American mindset that it made me curious in a way that I didn’t expect and I left the book asking myself somewhat philosophical questions about the things I own.

Are the objects in my home achieving a purpose and if not, how do I let go? Kondo lists specific ways to do this and even if I haven’t committed to her method of tidying, I did find some very practical and useful hints to accompany my many questions.

“The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere,” by Pico Iyer, is a companion to Iyer’s 14-minute talk at TED.com. Short in length, deep in depth, this book explores the pleasure of stillness and concentrated attention. More than a book about meditation, Iyer’s storytelling demonstrates the luxury and necessity of being still in our hectic world.

I left these books asking questions about my life and my motivations. As Brian Grazer writes, “…ask one good question a day, and listen to the answer.” Your listening might begin with a good book from the Rowan Public library, a place where questions abound.

Summer reading:  Every Hero Has a Story! Reading hours may be tracked through Aug. 8. Prizes for children who read one, five, 10, 15 and 20 hours. Children who read 20 hours get a special certificate and are entered in the 20-Hour Reader Raffle on Aug. 10. Door prizes are raffled at weekly school-aged programs. To enter, children write and submit a Super Reader Review before the start of the program.

Weekly programs begin June 15 and run until July 30.

Wonders: 12- to 24-month-olds — 30 minutes;  June 15-July 9. Headquarters, Wednesday, 10 a.m.; East Branch, Monday, 10 a.m.; South Rowan Regional, Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

Marvels: 2-year-olds — 30 minutes; June 15-July 9. All at 10:30 a.m. Headquarters, Thursday; East Branch, Tuesday; South Rowan Regional, Wednesday.

Mighty Readers: 3- to 5-year-olds — 30-45 minutes; June 15-July 30. All at 10:30 a.m.; Headquarters, Tuesday; East Branch, Thursday; South Rowan Regional, Monday.

Super Readers: Rising first- through fifth-graders — 45 minutes; June 15-July 30. Headquarters, Wednesday, 2 p.m.; East Branch, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.; South Rowan Regional, Tuesday, 2 p.m.; Cleveland Town Hall, Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

Performer lineup — June 15-19, The Sock Rockerz; June 22-26, Red Herring Puppets; June 29-July 3, Rags to Riches; July 6-10, Ro & Mo; July 13-17, Zelnik the Magician; July 20-24, Mother Minter; July 27-31, Lee Street Theatre.

A special parent workshop for parents of children ages 0-5, Monday, June 22, 6-7 p.m. at Headquarters only. The workshop is free but registration is required and space is limited. Register by calling 704-216-8234.

Teen summer reading: “UnMask” Summer Reading Program June 15-July 31, all rising sixth-graders to 12th-graders may participate. Teens can earn library dollars to be used to enter raffles on prizes provided by Friends of Rowan Public Library and other local organizations.

Programs will be 3:30-5 p.m. on Tuesdays at Headquarters; Wednesdays, East Branch; and Thursdays at South Rowan Regional.

Each teen will receive a booklet when they register to keep track of library dollars. Prize raffles will be drawn at the National Teen Lock-in at Headquarters on Friday, July 31, 6:30-10:30 p.m.

Hero’s Hunt: A hero-themed scavenger hunt with challenges —Headquarters, June 16; East Branch, June 17; South Rowan Regional, June 18.

Marvelous Comics: A presentation on how to draw comics — Headquarters, June 23; East Branch, June 24; South Rowan Regional, June 25.

Villainous Art: Graffiti art and other villainous activities — Headquarters, June 30;  East Branch, July 1; South Rowan Regional, July 2.

Game Show Challenge: How well do you know your superheroes? — Headquarters, July 7; East Branch, July 8; South Rowan Regional, July 9.

Hero’s Challenge: Which hero will survive? — Headquarters, July 14; East Branch, July 15;South Rowan Regional, July 16.

UnMasked: Mask-making and t-shirt designing — Headquarters, July 21; East Branch, July 22; South Rowan Regional, July 23.

National Teen Lock-in: End of summer celebration — Headquarters, July 31, 6:30-10:30 p.m.

Adults summer reading: Adults ages 18+ may “Escape the Ordinary” at the library through reading, movies and more.

To participate, adults must sign up at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org. Participants may pick up an information packet, available at each library location starting June 15. The packet contains details on how to track reading hours, prize levels, activities, program information and more. Reading hours may be tracked through Aug. 8. Prizes include gift cards and two tablet computers. Prize winners will be announced at the end of summer celebration, Be Your Own Hero; participants do not have to be present to win.

Adults may attend special programs including a film presentation by Will Davis, a professional filmmaker and educator, who will explore the worlds of heroes and villains on the silver screen. Heros, Monday, June 22, 6:30 p.m., Headquarters. Villains, Tuesday, June 23, 6:30 p.m., South Rowan Regional.

Summer movie series: All movies start at 6:30 p.m. Headquarters. June 16, “Big Hero 6” (PG); June 23, “Guardians of the Galaxy” (PG13); June 30, “Miracles” (PG). Movies are free and all ages are welcome. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Movies run June 16 -Aug. 11. Free popcorn and lemonade.

Book Bites Club: June 30, 6:30 p.m., “Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend,“ by Susan Orlean. Book discussion groups for adults and children at South Rowan Regional Library meet the last Tuesday of each month. Open and anyone is free to join at any time. There is a discussion of the book as well as light refreshments. For more information, call 704-216-7841.

Displays: Headquarters, AARP; South, photography by Aaron Cress; East, vintage fashions by Alice Thompson.

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.