Waukegan Public Library - non-fiction

Have You Heard About... Here, There and Everywhere

Fran J — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:25:14 +0000

… Geoff Emerick, The Beatles’ sound engineer who was responsible for putting together some of The Beatles’ most influential albums? In his book, Here, There and Everywhere, Emerick recalls his encounters with The Beatles, from their first recording session to their final days recording Abbey Road.

On the surface, this is a story about the technical aspects of creating these monumental albums, but beneath that is a fascinating, and ultimately heartbreaking, account of The Beatles’ rise to stardom, their creative triumphs and frustrations, and the pressures that drove the band apart. Emerick takes great pains to accurately portray each Beatle individually, instead of lumping them together as a single entity, and he also does his best to dispel the common myths surrounding the band. For example, George Harrison was always portrayed as “the quiet Beatle,” but to Emerick, George was often sarcastic and cruel, a frustrated artist who wasn’t valued or respected by his band mates.

There’s a lot of technical jargon in this book, but it’s still fascinating to see how the albums were made and exactly how much effort went into recording these monumental songs. We get a firsthand look into their songwriting sessions, their guitar solos, their jokes, and their arguments. We see how John Lennon and Paul McCartney bounced songwriting ideas off of each other, and then how they grew apart and honed their own distinctive sounds. We see George struggling with his guitar solos. We see Ringo sitting in the back of the room while the rest of the band collaborated. We see a lot of things that were never made available to the public.

And even though I knew exactly how and when The Beatles disbanded, it was still heartbreaking to read about their last Abbey Road sessions, knowing that the world would never be treated to another Beatles album. It was like I had experienced their career firsthand, and I felt like I lost something when they broke up.

This book transformed The Beatles from a mythic rock and roll band to a much more complex and frustrated group of artists. Give this book a try – I guarantee you’ll never listen to their music the same way again.

Reviewed by Katie (staff)

Have You Heard About... Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores

Fran J — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:30:43 +0000

… the classic novel Nineteen Eighty-Six or the Dinosaur Cookbook? Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores is just what the title suggests, a compilation of anecdotes collected by Jen Campbell from her own experiences and stories shared by booksellers around the world. It has everything from misunderstood titles and people desperate for the latest in their favorite series, to a customer who wants her books delivered down the street because it’s raining.

Some of the stories involve innocent mistakes and people simply having a bad day. Others will show you the incredible depths of rudeness to which some people will sink. Can you imagine ordering a pizza to be delivered at the store where you are shopping, or wanting to return a book that had been dropped into a bathtub filled with water, or insisting every bookstore in the world stop carrying the book that gave your child nightmares? These are only some of the strange things people have done in shops. Fortunately, library patrons are much more sensible and kind than bookstore customers!

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... The Natural History of the Chicken

Fran J — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:26:54 +0000

… the cute little baby chicks in the Children’s Department at the Waukegan Public Library? If you have already seen them, then The Natural History of the Chicken will be an extra treat. If you haven’t, you need to check out this DVD, ASAP.

You’ll cackle with delight as you watch some of the silly antics of people who make chickens pets. I especially liked the lady who put a diaper on her fluffy chicken so it wouldn’t make a mess in her house as it watched opera on TV. The story of the guy who raised roosters and drove his neighbors crazy with all of the cockle-doo-da-doodling is great. You’ll learn something about chicken farmers, chicken breeders and the conditions that chickens are forced to live in just to feed humans, and you’ll be amazed at how much chicken is consumed by the average person in one year.

The story of the Headless Michael is touching. In the 1940s, Michael’s head was chopped off, and he lived for almost a year. He toured the world and was hand fed. Amazing, but true. The story of Liza is spiritual. She longed for baby chicks of her own and almost died to protect them. How about the story of Valerie? Her owner gave her mouth to beak resuscitation when she froze in a nor’easter and the owner thought she was dead. If you’ve ever had to kill a chicken for food and pluck it and then eat it like I have, you’ll understand that every creature has more than one purpose in life. You will never look at a chicken in the same way once you’ve seen this educational, funny and touching DVD. It’s a one-hour family film, but be sure to watch it with little kids in case they have questions.

Reviewed by Terry (staff)

Have You Heard About... Money Secrets of the Amish

Fran J — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 06:10:01 +0000

… a very simple method to beat these hard economic times, called UWMW? In Money Secrets of the Amish, by Lorilee Craker, you can learn what not only the Amish, but millions of others already know. UWMW – Use it up, Wear it out, Make do or do Without. We waste a lot of money simply because we want instant gratification. Everything we buy nowadays seems to end up on a debit or credit card. What’s the matter with good old-fashioned cash? Yes, it’s dangerous to carry around a lot of cash. Solution: plan ahead what you want to buy and where to get it and only carry that amount of cash. It seems to have worked for the Amish for the past 250 years and for a lot of the people who grew up during the Depression of the 1930s and 1940s. It can work for you, too.

Start simple. Going to the movies is a good example of instant gratification. Why spend $60 or more for a family of four to see a movie and get munchies, too? All good things come to those who wait. Invest in a hot air popper for about $15-$30, or better yet use a heavy bottom kettle with a lid, and buy popping corn for about $1.10 for a two-pound bag. This is definitely cheaper than microwave popcorn in the long run. So far, you’ve only spent half of the money of going out just one time. The movie itself is even cheaper. You might have to wait a little while, but with your Waukegan Public Library card you can check out up to six DVDs at one time for FREE and have yourself a movie marathon.

Another simple start is second-hand shopping. Clothes, dishes, even furniture can be found if you are willing to spend a little bit of time looking. Learn to barter, use coupons, go together with a friend and buy in bulk, and always read the unit price on the shelf sticker when shopping.

A lot of this book is just plain common sense. This is also a funny read, and that is a good motivator in getting you started on the path to saving some of your money.

Reviewed by Terry (staff)

Have You Heard About... The Outpost

Fran J — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 06:45:33 +0000

… one of the deadliest battles for US forces in the Afghan War? I recently read, or should I say recently couldn’t put down The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor by Jake Tapper.

The book is big on details and a nice lengthy read (614 pages), but trust me on this, you will finish it in like three days. I was interested in President Obama’s recent presentation of the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Clint Romesha. This book is all about the events that led up to the creation of Combat Outpost Keating in the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan and the eventual total destruction of that base. It is equally about all the men, including Sergeant Romesha, who were deployed there. Many did not make it back, and for those who survived, their lives were changed forever after. This will book will have you missing meals and staying up late just to find out what happens next. Jake Tapper is a very talented writer and writes a masterful chronology of events.

Reviewed by Richard (staff)

Have You Heard About... An Original DUCKumentary

Fran J — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 06:36:49 +0000

… a species of bird that can glide, dive and dabble, look dazzling and funny all at the same time? You have got to check out An Original DUCKumentary.

Did you know that there are 120 different species of ducks in the world? In this amazing DVD you will follow the story of the common Wood Duck, when mom duck hatches her brood in a very tall tree. Yep, a tree. Sixty to seventy feet off the ground no less, as duck eggs are a delicacy for a lot of predators. It takes just over a month for ducks to hatch, and of course, mom does all of the work. Daddy duck just keeps watch until everyone is safe in the water and then goes on about his business. Mom flies out of the nest to the water and calls to her darling little duckies to follow her. Ducks are born instinctively knowing what to do, so once the newly-hatched ducklings tumble to the ground (yes it’s a long, long fall, but they know just how to land without hurting themselves), they follow their mom’s call to the water where they immediately glide in, take a few looks around their new world and start to eat. Ducks don’t have to be taught to swim or how to eat or even where to find food or where to go in the winter, they just know. Ducks are very smart. In just a few short weeks, these cute little duckies are teenagers and starting to grow feathers. In the fall, ducks start to find a mate, and if the female finds the right male to protect her throughout the winter, in the spring, if they are still “talking” to each other, they will finally mate. There is no hanky-panky during the winter; it’s all about protection. Then the cycle starts all over again.

While the Wood Duck story unfolds throughout the film, you will get to meet at least fifteen other different species of ducks, each more fascinating and colorful and entertaining than the last. The Redhead is fickle and lays her eggs in several of her neighbors’ nests, so you have a foster-care mom scenario. The South American Torrent Duck is like a white water rafting junkie. You have to see this to believe in how they survive. Buffleheads, Pintails, Shovelers, Goldeneyes and Green-winged Teal are just some of the interesting ducks you will get to meet in this short family DVD. In the spring, head on over to the Waukegan Public Library’s Hinkston Park Branch, located in the Field House, and see our annual flock of ducklings as they grow up.

Reviewed by Terry (staff)

Have You Heard About... Because I Said So

Fran J — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 06:12:28 +0000

… the dangers of swallowing gum or looking in the microwave? Ken Jennings looks at many of the things our parents warned us about in Because I Said So! The Truth behind the Myths, Tales & Warnings Every Generation Passes down to Its Kids. Parents all over the world tell their children to do or not do certain things, often things they learned from their own parents or friends and family members with children. However, over generations that information can become outdated or misremembered, so Jennings collected dozens of common sayings from the United States and looked into the truth behind them.

Each of the warnings in this book is followed by a brief explanation of the author’s research and his conclusions. Scientific and medical studies are cited, where appropriate, and summarized in everyday English. In some cases, Jennings has been able to provide a history of how the warning was started. At the end, there is a simple bar with a rating from completely false to completely true. Not surprisingly, most of the sayings fall somewhere in the middle — true in some circumstances but not always, or not completely true as they are usually stated. Fortunately, the book includes an index, in case you want to start with your parents’ favorite warnings (or the one you’re about to use with your own child).

By the way, swallowed gum is safely passed through the digestive system (unless you are swallowing several pieces every day for a long time) and looking into modern microwaves should be safe, although the FDA recommends against standing against one for “long periods of time” while it is running.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... An Invisible Thread

Fran J — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 07:14:21 +0000

…an incredible story that brings together two people from such totally different ways of life, that they form a bond that will touch you in ways that will tug at your heart? A friend of mine recommended that I read An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski. This is a non-fiction book that, while it sounded intriguing, I wasn’t really sure that I liked the subject it dealt with. Once I got started reading though, it only took me about six total hours to read, as I just couldn’t put it down.

Laura is a sales executive, single and white. Maurice is a very young, streetwise African American boy panhandling to stay alive. A chance meeting keeps these two people coming back together, and they form a bond that is hard to understand. Laura’s past deals with an alcoholic father. A lot of the story is about her. Maurice is from the lowest, meanest projects of Manhattan, New York. The glimpse into this life style is at times harrowing and confusing for those who have never experienced it. Laura finds it unbelievable that Maurice doesn’t know how to set a table and has never baked cookies. He doesn’t know how to use a knife to cut his meat. Somewhere in his past though, he has learned to be polite and enthusiastic about life.

Maurice tries to shield Laura from the harsh world of his drug-addicted mom and dysfunctional family. Laura persists in helping him, and through the ups and downs of weekly meetings, these two gradually learn to trust each other. As Laura and Maurice age, they lose contact with each other for a while, but when they finally get back together, you’ll be amazed at the changes in Maurice’s life. There is nothing sentimental or even earth shattering about this book, but as you read it and even cry through it, you’ll get a glad feeling in your heart.

Reviewed by Terry (staff)

Have You Heard About... Green River, Running Red

Fran J — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 07:54:34 +0000

… the Green River Killer, America’s most prolific serial murderer? In her book Green River, Running Red, renowned true crime author Ann Rule chronicles the murder of over fifty women in the Seattle area, as well as the police department’s agonizing search for their killer – a search that began in 1981 and ended 20 years later in 2001, with the arrest of Gary Ridgway.

Green River, Running Red is both a fascinating insight into a high-profile murder investigation, as well as a horrifying portrait of a real-life serial killer that goes beyond anything I’ve ever seen in the movies. In the last part of the book, Ann Rule also includes transcribed portions from Ridgway’s confession, when he explains why he killed all those women. It’s guaranteed to send chills down your spine.

I might even go so far as to say this was one of the most unsettling books I’ve ever read. The book contains photographs of many of the victims, as well as photos and mug shots of Ridgway himself, which made the story that much more realistic for me. As a true crime novel, this is one of the best, and I guarantee that if you read Green River, Running Red, you will never look at your friends and neighbors the same way again.

Reviewed by Katie (staff)

Have You Heard About... Rock & Roll Generation

Fran J — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 07:44:27 +0000

… flat tops, DAs and “a little dab will do ya”? Rock & Roll Generation: Teen Life in the 50s by Time Life Books is a look at the teen fads of the 1950s.The book starts out with a general look at the 1950s – the end of WWII, the political scene – and then goes on to describe all of the fabulous things that happened to teens in the 50s.

We were the first teens to hold down great-paying jobs, and we had money to burn. We were no longer were content to “follow the rules” of the previous generations. Everything seemed to change – how we dressed, how we ate and what we listened to. Each generation since then has always thought they were the first to rebel or be different. If you remember the 50s, you were there when rock and roll started. You’re an original! Elvis, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley & the Comets, Frankie & Fabian. Remember rushing home from school to watch American Bandstand with Dick Clark? Ok, so just about every generation had Bandstand in their life, but we were the first.

Guys wore their hair either as a crew cut (flat tops) or ducktail (DAs), and Brylcreem was the dab that was just greasy enough to keep everything in place. Chinos and penny loafers for guys were in. Girls wore scuffed saddle shoes with white bobby socks and poodle skirts, charm bracelets and pullover sweaters with an initial pin. Flips and high ponytails were the hairstyles. In the 1950s, a vinyl record album cost $1.98. A good record player cost about $40.00. James Dean and Natalie Wood in Rebel without a Cause, and Gidget with Sandra Dee and James Darren were at the movies. Mad magazine was brand new, and no matter where you lived you “scooped the loop” on a Friday night.

This book will bring back a lot of memories if you were a teen in the fabulous 50s. If you aren’t quite that old, you will see how things have changed over the years.

Reviewed by Terry (staff)