Best Books of 2009

As book-loving librarians, well, let's just say that we read a lot this year. Here are a few of our favorites--not necessarily bestsellers, but those that hit the right note at the right time...

We sifted and sorted through the hundreds of books we read this year...

And our top picks for 2009 are:

Carol's Picks

The Help by Kathryn Stockett--explores the relationships between young, white housewives and their black maids in pre-civil rights movement Mississippi (EXCELLENT on audio). Better, even, than The Secret Life of Bees.

Labor Day by Joyce Maynard--poignant tale seen through the eyes of a teenage boy, and the man he later becomes with a look back to an encounter that began one life-altering weekend.

Impostor's Daughter by Laurie Sandell--proof positive that graphic novels are literature & an endearingly bizzare true story to boot.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova--traces the descent of a once brilliant academic to that of a woman whose brain is ravaged by early onset Alzheimer's. Realism coupled with a sense of intimate immediacy grants the novel a memoir-like voice. A more sensitive portrait of degenerating mind is impossible to imagine.

The Cradle by Patrick Somerville--this multifacted familial tale has the cadence of a lullaby and was written by one of Wisconsin's very own.

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall--full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration.

Liz's Picks

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen--a memoir full of sassy
humor and self-deprecating honesty.

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell--Part medical thriller, part mafioso, and with a pacing that (happily) sets the teeth on edge, it's"House" meets "The Sopranos" all the way!

Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon--three separate narratives about relationships and identity that come together in a surprise twist.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave--heartbreaking story told from the perspective of a Nigerian orphan.

The Magicians: A Novel by Lev Grossman--a truly adult read for the Harry Potter lover in you.

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox--Michael J. Fox's emotional, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual outlook on his struggle with Parkinson's disease.

Anna's Picks

Somewhere Towards the End by Diana Athill--a beautiful, if patrician love letter that celebrates the writer's life, while likewise reminding reader's of words capacity to enrapture.

A Bad Day for Sorry by Sophie Littlefield--Ever feel frustrated enough to bite the heads off kittens? Me neither, but oh, what a line! Vigilante or female avenger? You decide--and enjoy the ride!

Bad Things Happen by Harry Dolan--real who-done-it's be rare, this is one. A literary mystery in every sense of the word, it's truly a gem.

Short Girls: A Novel by Bich Minh Nguyen--Finally! Affirmation for the vertically challenged amongst us! Also, an immediately digestible tale spiced with Vietnemese-American history & cultural antedotes; the occasional expected woes of assimilation; the power of sisterhood, famililal strife, and yes, forays of food.

The Leisure Seeker: A Novel by Michael Zadoorian--an ailing elderly couple embarks on one final road trip in order to celebrate a life well lived (& end a life well lived on their own terms). Always poignant and amazingly uplifting despite the content.

I'm Sorry You Feel That Way: The Astonishing but True Story of a Daughter, Sister, Slut, Wife, Mother, and Friend to Both Man and Dog by Diana Joseph--Absolutely delightful! And, the title says it all.

Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals by Temple Grandin--Written by world renowned animal behaviorist & notable autism expert (she herself is diagnosed), this cautionary work is for anyone and everyone who loves animals & has animals who love them.

Ravens by George Dawes Green--Not sure what's so great. The colorful cast of characters? The pacing? Or, perhaps the sheer audacity of it all? No matter, for I simply couldn't put it down.

Graphic Novels

Did you know Sun Prairie Public Library has an Adult Graphic Novel Collection? It is located in front of the Renk Reading Room (fireplace!), next to the audiobooks.

Graphic novels are growing in popularity, and the best ones are always checked out, just like other bestsellers. In fact, The New York Times recently introduced three separate lists of the best-selling graphic books in the country: hardcover, softcover, and manga.

So, cozy up to a quick read! If the fireplace is not lit, just ask and we can add instant atmosphere (and warmth) to your reading experience.

Here’s what people are excited about:

Stitches: A Memoir.

David Small. (921 Small)

A radiologist father subjects his son to x-rays in this poignant coming-of-age memoir.

A Drifting Life.

Yoshihiro Tatsumi.

(921 Tatsumi)
A monumental memoir eleven years in the making. It begins with childhood in Osaka, Japan, and the aftermath of World War II.

A.D. New Orleans After the Deluge.

Josh Neufeld. (976.335 Neu)
Horrific true stories from seven New Orleans survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

Dark Entries.

Ian Rankin. (F Rankin)
When contestants on a reality TV show are murdered, occult detective John Constantine investigates.

Tamara Drewe.

Posy Simmonds. (F Simmonds)
Captures the frumpiness of a British writer’s retreat, a mid-life crisis, and the chaotic upheavals a young journalist unleashes upon arriving.

Tonoharu: Part One.

Lars Martinson (F Martinso)
Experience alienation, homesickness, and culture shock first-hand when a romantic confronts reality by becoming an English teacher in Japan.

The Photographer.

Emmanuel Guibert.

(958.1045 Gui)
Into war-torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders.

You’ll Never Know: A Graphic Memoir.

Carol Tyler. (921 Tyler)

The author explores her fathers unspoken experiences as a GI during World War II.

BookPage

Thanks to the Friends of the Sun Prairie Library, you can now pick up a free copy of BookPage each month. BookPage is a monthly publication brimming with reviews of bestsellers, hot new fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and teen reading. It's a great way to discover hidden gems and get a jump on the hold list for forthcoming books. Can't make it to the library? BookPage can also be access electronically on our website. Located in the display stand on the rear side of the new book shelves. Be sure to pick up your copy early in the month - they go fast!

New Magazine Titles

Check out these new magazines titles in our beautiful Renk Room. The fireplace will soon be ablaze, and there's always the panoramic view of Sheehan Park - it's our favorite quiet space in the library!

Alarm
All You
American Patchwork & Quilting
Beadwork
Conde Nast Traveler
Cooking with Paula Deen
Details
Do It Yourself
Domino
Fine Cooking
Fine Homebuilding
Fitness
Horticulture
Hybrid Mom
Kiplinger's Retirement Report
Knitters Lucky
Make
Marie Claire
Outside
Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade
Science Illustrated
Scrapbooks, Etc.
Spirtuality and Health
Vibe

The library subscribes to over 200 magazine titles, so there's something for everyone! Current issues can be read in the library and all past issues can be checked out for two weeks. Any questions or comments? See the Information Desk.

Paperback Move

You may have noticed that our paperback collection has moved to the Adult Wing of the library (across from the computer lab). This new space has allowed us to begin collecting large format paperbacks, the new and improved version of the mass-market paperback which is now used by most best-selling authors. In addition to the larger print being easier to read, this format is sturdier than a standard paperback. Come in and check out your favorite titles today!

Tech-Know November: OverDrive

OverDrive Digital Audio Books
Download audio books, music or video to a personal computer or laptop in the comfort of your own home. Transfer downloaded material to portable devices, and take it with you anywhere. Click here to learn more.

Book Drop changes November 2nd

November 2nd will change the way you return books at the Sun Prairie Public Library. Currently, the book drops are marked Books, Video, and Other. Beginning Monday, November 2nd, the slots will be marked Sun Prairie Library Books, All Other Library Books and All Other Materials. We believe the change will allow us to check items in and get them back on the shelves faster. We realize that it will require paying more attention to where your books came from. We appreciate your efforts in helping to make this change a success for everyone!

Posted by Tracy Herold, Director

Check out what's Coming Soon!

Have you been waiting for the latest release from your favorite author? We have a fantastic "Coming Soon" list! From our website, http://www.sunlib.org/, click Good Reads by Email on the left menu. Select which newsletters you would like delivered right to your email. From the email you can go directly to LINKCat and place holds on the items you want. Be one of the first on the hold list!

Open Art Studios at the Library

Saturday, October 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Library Community Room
Artists: Kelly Daniels, silver point; Mark Cullen, printmaking
Ms. Daniels has been painting since childhood and shares studio space in downtown Madison with 6 other artists. Ms. Daniels will work with a process called silver point, used by Leonardo Da Vinci, among other masters. Children will have an opportunity to try silver point themselves.

Mark Cullen began printmaking as a student in public school and favors simple processes that result in truly unique works. He enjoys the sketching of a print plate and heads out to Pine Bluff Studio to do the actual print. Mark is inspired by children’s artwork, animation, cartoons, Matisse, Modigliani, and Japanese art, having spent a year in Japan as an English teacher.

September Tech-Know: Wireless Internet

Use your laptop, PDA or other device with a wireless network interface card to connect to our Wi-Fi anywhere in the library. Most computers will automatically recognize the wireless network. Simply launch your internet browser, and you will be prompted to register. Be sure to remember your login name and password to use for future wireless sessions.

Don't have a laptop? The library offers two laptops that adults can rent for $1.00 a day for use in the library.

August Tech-Know: Global Road Warrior

Become a roving globetrotter without leaving your chair -- or spending a dime! Global Road Warrior, our newest database, contains information on 175 countries, featuring high resolution maps and over 6500 colorful photos. Topics include society and culture, travel essentials, business etiquette, religion, folklore, points of interest, food, and more. A valuable resource for anyone researching cultural information, doing country reports, preparing to travel abroad, or just wanting a good read. Available for free in the library, or remotely to City of Sun Prairie library cardholders. To grab your boarding pass, go to http://www.sunlib.org/, click on the Databases tab, click on Global Road Warrior, and enter your barcode number.

BOOK'N IT 2009

It's time to register for Book'n It 2009. This year's 5 & 10K fun run is scheduled for August 8th in Sheehan Park. Kids 100-meter fun run at 9:15 am -- sign up at the Children's Desk! More information and registration at www.booknitrun.com.

July Tech-Know: NoveList

Looking for a good book? Read EVERYTHING by your favorite author? NoveList can help. NoveList offers read-alikes, book club discussion guides, reviews, and readers advisory for adults and children. NoveList, NoveList Plus and NoveList K-8 are available to all Sun Prairie Public Library card holders in the library or remotely from home! Go to http://www.sunlib.org/, click on the Databases tab, and scroll down to NoveList.

Summer Library Program in full swing

Today is the first day you can check in at the Children's Desk for Summer Library Program prizes! These include a Dane County Fair pass, Mallards game pass, stickers, Dolphin's Cove pass, and a variety of other mystery prizes. And don't forget, when you finish your booklet, you get a pass to the August 8th pool party!

Adults can join in the fun, as well. Turn in completed slips at the Information Desk to enter drawings to win a variety of prizes.

Looking for a Good Read? Check out the Readers tab on our website to see a variety of sources to help you select your next read!

Posted by Tracy Herold

Georgia O'Keefe Celebration

Join a celebration of Georgia O'Keefe on Saturday, June 13th, at the library from 10-3.

-- See the O'Keefe exhibit in the lobby display case

-- Watch a brief video on O'Keefe's favored vistas

-- Participate in the community art project from 11-2:30 p.m.

Posted by Tracy Herold

Seasons of Discovery Photography Exhibit

Al Snowdon, local photographer, writer, and poet, teamed up with photographer Sally Keyel to photograph our beautiful library prairies in each of the four seasons. The result of this partnership is now on display in the Adult Wing of the library through the month of June. A Haiku written by Mr. Snowdon accompanies each set of photographs.

LearningExpressLibrary

June's Tech-Know feature is Learning Express Library. LEL offers a variety of online test preparation tools, from elementary school to college! Check it out at http://www.sunlib.org/; click on the Databases menu and scroll down. Login using your library card number and create a user account and password. Absolutely free!

Posted by Tracy Herold

Fax at the Library

The library now offers fax services for your convenience! Available at the Information Desk, you can send a fax using your credit or debit card, or by purchasing a pre-paid card at the Registration Desk. The first page is $1.50; each following page is $1.00. Information Desk staff is available to answer questions.

New! Morningstar Investment Resource Center

We're pleased to announce that Morningstar Investment Resource Center is now available as one of our electronic resources to help you start tracking your investments and plan for the future! This database offers not only the contents of the print edition, but much more. Morningstar provides up-to-date coverage on more than 30,000 mutual funds, stocks, and ETFs with analysts' reports for over 2,000 stocks and 2,000 mutual funds.

Screeners allow you to create lists of possible investments in mutual funds, stocks and ETFs.

Expert analysis, ratings and grades help you to make sense out of the investments that interest you most.

Portfolio X-Ray allows you to enter your current or prospective portfolio to check asset allocation, sector weighting, and other key variables.

Help and Education provides guides to the database and offers articles on investing, retirement planning, and tax planning.

Morningstar is available to all Sun Prairie Public Library patrons in the library and remotely to all City of Sun Prairie cardholders. To access Morningstar Investment Research Center, go to http://www.sunlib.org/, click on the Databases tab, click on Morningstar, and enter your library barcode number.

Tech-Know @ www.sunlib.org

Introducing Tech-Know! Beginning in April we will feature a unique technology service available to you through the library. We’ll give you the need-to-know basics and how to get started. Questions? Ask us at 608-825-0702; sunref@scls.lib.wi.us; http://www.sunlib.org/.

Coming April 1st: Morningstar Investment Research Center

Speak up for your library!

Now more than ever libraries are serving people, offering free books, music, movies, programming, resume preparation, job searching, and education preparation. Though libraries are well used, they face grave economic challenges. Would you be willing to lend your voice to support Sun Prairie Public Library? If so, please consider signing up for "Speak up for Your Library." By doing so you will help maintain public library support, locally, state-wide and nationally. Click here for more information!

Posted by Tracy Herold

Have you seen the Book'n It Guy?

The Groundhogs Day Celebration seemed a perfect time for the Book'n It Guy to make his first appearance in 2009. After all, spring has made a preliminary appearance, regardless of what Jimmy said. What better motivation to get on your running and walking shoes?!

Book'n It is a 5K/10K fun run and walk that starts in Sheehan Park and winds through historical downtown Sun Prairie. Awards are given for overall and age group winners. There is a 100-meter Kids Run following the race, a true delight for all, as well as a mascot run that features the Book'n It Guy, Curt the Cardinal, the Corn Festival Corncob.

Book'n It 2009 is set for Saturday, August 8, 8am. For more information, go to www.booknitrun.com.

Can you guess....

how many items YOU checked out from the Sun Prairie Public Library in 2008?

543,605

how many items YOU returned to SP Library in 2008?

663,556

how many holds YOU picked up 2008?

122,189

how many people visited the SP Library in 2008?

271,447

AMAZING!!!

Posted by Tracy Herold

An Inviting Place with Something for Everyone

“There is something for everyone at the library: free access to ideas and information; a diverse collection; beautiful surroundings; a helpful friendly staff. Learn, grow and expand your horizons!”



You may have seen the Wisconsin State Journal this morning and the feature on libraries. Usage is up at most libraries, which is typical in tough economic times. Folks are discovering for the first time what a value they have in their local library.







Here in Sun Prairie, residents have long understood what an incredible asset the library is to their lives. A recent survey showed that 99.9% of respondents would recommend us to a friend. You told us you love the building, the beautiful architecture, the soaring ceilings, the cozy Martha Renk Room, and the natural light. You love the collection, the variety of new fiction and nonfiction titles, DVDs, music and audio books. In addition, you value library programming. In 2008, 17,873 children attend 297 programs!



Those of you who use the library on a regular basis, please continue to enjoy this fabulous place and all it has to offer. Those of you who are discovering us for the first time or returning after a long hiatus...WELCOME!

Photos from 1/2/2009 issue of Wisconsin State Journal


Posted by Tracy Herold