A middle-age woman pushes a young man out of harm’s way during a blinding Boston snowstorm and is herself hit by the oncoming car. This spontaneous heroic act sets off a chain reaction within two families whose characters and story you’ll never forget after reading Ann Patchett’s “Run.” The award-winning writer who will appear in [...]
continue »1. “Class A: Baseball in the Middle of Everywhere” Mann 2. “Beautiful Fools: The Last Affair of Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald” Spargo 3. “The Home Place” Morris 4. “Penny, N.” Mcdonnell 5. “Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation” Pollan 6. “The Golden Egg” Leon 7. “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” Mathis 8. “Wm & H’ry: [...]
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It might sound unbelievable, but trust me: There are pythons living in Iowa. And 6-foot-long iguanas. And 200-pound African Tortoises. Christian Schoon, author of “Zenn Scarlett,” a young adult book soon to be released by Random House, gave me each animal’s back story as he walked me through Witty Kitties Inc., an animal sanctuary outside [...]
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“Stranger Magic: Charmed States and the Arabian Nights,” written by Marina Warner, professor in the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies at the University of Essex, and published by Harvard University Press, is the winner of the 2013 Truman Capote Award for Literary Criticism in Memory of Newton Arvin. The $30,000 award — the [...]
continue »1. “The Fast Metabolism Diet: Eat More Food and Lose More Weight” Pomroy 2. “Orphan Train” Baker Kline 3. “Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife” Alexander 4. “Don’t Go” Scottoline 5. “Starting Now” Macomber 6. “The Burgess Boys” Strout 7. “Poems to Learn By Heart” Kennedy 8. “It’s All Good: Delicious, Easy [...]
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Sixty-five years ago, Nola was born — a girl with an everlasting thirst for creativity and spirituality. Forty years ago, she died after years of treatment for schizophrenia. Fifteen years ago, she was the central character in her brother Robin Hemley’s memoir — a book that goes beyond a remembrance for a sibling consumed [...]
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Join libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating National Library Week today through Saturday. In honor of this week, the Cedar Rapids Public Library has compiled this list of 25 ways to celebrate: 1. Get assistance with job searches, resume writing, interviewing tips. 2. Finish a school project. 3. Use free Wi-Fi. [...]
continue »April is National Poetry Month. In honor of a month set aside for the celebration of poetry, I’d like to highlight some new books of poetry for children available at the Iowa City Public Library. A special book display can be found in the children’s room featuring recommended books of verse as well. “Book of [...]
continue »1. “The Burgess Boys” Strout 2. “Inferno: A New Translation” Bang 3. “Book of My Lives” Hemon 4. “Gulp: Adventures of the Alimentary Canal” Roach 5. “For the Love of Pete” Barker 6. “Ayiti” Gay 7. “Above the Din of War: Afghans Speak About Their Lives, Their Country and Their Future — and Why America [...]
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Pantone has dubbed emerald green as 2013’s Color of the Year. A brilliant hue, green often transcends the literal — symbolizing radiance, vitality, spring’s return, ecological awareness and renewal. Readers will find the color green trending through decorating, fashion, environmental and career materials at the Cedar Rapids Public Library Ladd Library and the downtown branch. [...]
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