Episode Transcript
[00:00:16] Speaker A: Greetings readers. Welcome to the first edition of Library News in August. August is a time of transition. Summer is still in full swing, but the rhythms of fall are just around the corner. Whether you're looking for the next great read, exploring accessible formats, or connecting with our services, we're here to support you in every step of the way.
[00:00:36] Speaker B: Unearth a Story Unleash youh Inner Explorer Summer Reading Program came to an end last month. The kids had a full summer of investigating and solving the mystery of the missing library mascot through games, hands on crafts and special guest appearances.
Stay tuned for exciting programming in the fall.
[00:00:53] Speaker C: Thrive Thursdays will wind down this month and will have its last meeting on August 13th where Dr. Michael Beck Bechtel will join the group. Virtually with his charismatic and entertaining stories, Dr. Beck will share his passion for living things and his adventures exploring the Earth and beyond. Whether you are a nature lover, a space enthusiast, or just plain curious, you will want to mark your calendar for this out of this World presentation.
Contact the library to get registered.
[00:01:23] Speaker A: The Library would like to thank our wonderful summer staff, Kate Maren and Abby. They were such a tremendous addition to the library for the summer. They helped out with the summer reading program, library projects such as moving books, creating library displays, and processing books for the collection. We wish them well and hope to
[00:01:42] Speaker B: see them around the seventh stop in our 2026 Peekabox journey was Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a a city that hosted the first Olympic Games ever held in South America.
Held August 5th through the 21st, 2016, Rio welcomed over 11,000 athletes from around the world to compete in 28 sports.
Star athletes like Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps and Simone Biles delivered unforgettable performances and Brazil celebrated a major milestone with its first Olympic gold medal in men's soccer.
Do you want to learn and read all about Olympic coast cities? It's not too late to get signed up for Peekabox. Call the library to get signed up today or go to IowaLibrary blog now
[00:02:23] Speaker C: for the top 10 nonfiction books downloaded from Bard the True Story of an Extraordinary Police Dog DB135415 by David Alton Hedges the True Story of an Extraordinary Police Dog is the raw first hand account of the life of a police canine named Bragg and his cop partner. When they first meet, Bragg shows no interest in human attachment and his handler is wary of caring too much for a dog whose life he must risk every night. But as the dangerous manhunts push both to their mental and physical limits, the two develop an unbreakable bond that blurs the line between human and canine. Anyone who has ever loved a dog will embrace this heartfelt story of courage and loyalty.
Navigating Life with Low Essential Knowledge, Tools and Strategies for Independence DB135650 by Patrick J. Fisher for individuals facing low vision challenges daily, life can feel overwhelming. This guide serves as a trusted resource offering expert advice, practical strategies and and a directory of services to support independence. With over 30 years of experience, the author distills key insights into actionable steps. Readers will find tools addressing assistive technology, vision rehabilitation, and access to local resources helping them embrace life with confidence.
The Unbelievable True Story of a Teenager's Survival in the Amazon DB135900 by Ellen Cochran the true story of a girl who fell out of a plane over the Amazon and walked out of the jungle 11 days later.
[00:04:20] Speaker A: The Immortal A Neurosurgeon's Case for the Existence of the Soul DB 137442 by Michael Egnor and Denise O' Leary a neuroscientist and surgeon makes an argument for the existence of a spiritual human soul in this eye opening book.
Many scientists and doctors believe that there is no such thing as a soul, that there is no part of us that persists beyond death. We are not spiritual in any respect. We are made up of cells and tissue and completely controlled by a material organ in our heads, the brain. In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Michael Egnor makes the case, based on 40 years of practice in over 7,000 brain surgeries, that science has gotten it all wrong. The human brain is incredible, mysterious and powerful, but it's not what makes us who we are. The soul does that.
Drawing on the most important research studies in neuroscience, Dr. Egnor presents evidence that the brain alone does not explain the mind. He explores using modern neuroscience in his vast surgical experience, how inside every damaged brain there is a thinking, feeling person with a spiritual soul that transcends the brain. Using fascinating case studies to prove his claim, Carole King She Made The Earth Move DB 134705 by Jane Eisner Jane Eisner traces the professional accomplishments and personal challenges of pop icon Carole King, exploring her unique contribution to American music.
Carole King's extraordinary career has defined American popular music for more than half a century.
She was a leading figure in the singer songwriter movement of the 1970s, with dozens of Billboard Hot 100 hits and music awards. Her 1971 album, Tapestry won a record four Grammys. Yet she struggled to reconcile her fame with her roles as a wife and mother and retreated to the backwoods of Idaho only to emerge in recent years as a political activist and the subject of the Tony winning Broadway show Beautiful the Carole King Musical Journalist and author Jane Eisner places King's life in historical and cultural context, revealing details of her humble beginnings in Jewish Brooklyn, the roots of her musical genius, her four marriages and her anguish about public life. Drawing on numerous interviews as well as historical and contemporary sources, this book brings to life King's professional accomplishments, her personal challenges and her lasting contributions to The Great American Songbook.
99 Ways to Die and how to Avoid Them DB 137300 by Ashley Alker Dr. Ashley Alker is a self described death escapologist or in more familiar terms, an emergency medicine doctor.
She has seen it all, from flesh eating bacteria to the work of a serial killer to the more mundane, but no less steadily, and her work, outwitting the end, has uniquely prepared her to write this book. Dr. Alker manages to shock listeners while making them laugh, educating them on how to outsmart a wide range of deadly situations and conditions.
Many of the chapters include stories from her experiences in life and medicine, at times heartwarming. Others, heartbreaking sections include explorations of sex, poison, drugs, biological warfare, disease, animals, crime, the elements and much more.
[00:08:02] Speaker B: Blindness for a Renewed Vision of the possible DB 135652 by Maribel Steele Imagine if you were to lose your sight. Would it feel like the end of everything worthwhile? There is a way forward.
Once you realize that blindness is a word and not a sentence, life takes on a new perspective.
There are ways to thrive with vision loss. This book reveals how to turn such a life challenge into a lifestyle you can fully manage and enjoy.
Maribel Steele's heartwarming story is part memoir, part guide. She demystifies what it means to be blind and provides a unique set of tools to enable you to forge ahead with tenacity. By offering a realistic picture of the possible, blindness for beginners will help you to adjust emotionally, adapt in practical ways and enhance your self confidence.
Her insights will give a clearer vision of the realities and possibilities for visually impaired and sighted readers alike.
Mysteries of the National Parks 35 stories of baffling disappearances, unexplained phenomena, and more.
DB136924 by Michael Bezemick America's national parks are best known for stunning beauty and outstanding adventure. But these natural wonders also hold some of the world's greatest mysteries. Flying past Mount Rainier, did a pilot really spot nine shiny objects that spawned the UFO craze was a contorted crater in Utah's dramatic canyonlands created by a meteorite strike.
Join outdoor expert and writer Mike Bezemick as he explores baffling disappearances, unexplained phenomena and the secret history of our national parks. Featuring 35 puzzling stories, mysteries of the National Parks takes listeners to every corner of our diverse and beautiful country.
American Cake From Colonial gingerbread to classic lair, the story behind our best loved cakes from past to present DB 134339 by Ann Byrne Cakes in America aren't just about sugar, flour and frosting. They have a deep, rich history that developed as our country grew. Cakes, more so than other desserts, are synonymous with celebration and coming together for happy times. They're an icon of American culture, reflecting heritage, region, season, occasion and era, and they always have been throughout history.
In American Cake, Ann Byrne, creator of the New York Times best selling series The Cake Mix Doctor, takes you on a journey through America's past to present with more than 125 authentic recipes for our best loved and beautiful cakes and frostings. Tracing cakes chronologically from the dark, moist gingerbread of New England to the elegant pound cake, the hardscrabble Appalachian Stack Cake, War cakes, Deep South Caramel, Hawaiian, Chantilly, and the modern California cakes of orange and olive oil, Byrne shares recipes, stories and a behind the scenes look into what cakes we were baking back in time, making the best of what's left when we're too old to get the chairs reupholstered. DB136861 by Judith Vorst In a career that has spanned more than 50 years, Judith Vorst has captivated readers with her best selling children's books and collections of poetry, reflecting on each decade of life.
Now in her 90s, Vjorst writes about life's final fifth, those who are 80 to 100 years old. Her signature blend of humor and vulnerability infuses personal anecdotes and observations, drawing you into her world of memories and candid conversations. With a wit that defies age, Vorst navigates the terrain of loss. It's a poignant dance between grief and levity that will resonate with those in their final fifth, as well as anyone who has parents, relatives or friends in their 80s and beyond.
This is Judith Vorst at her best.
[00:11:48] Speaker C: The library had a great time at Steam on the Ridge on July 31st.
Students in grade kindergarten through 8th explored hands on Steam activities, and we love sharing a fun Braille activity with them. We look forward to next year.
[00:12:03] Speaker A: This month's Many Faces of Bard will be Thursday, August 13th at 6pm via Zoom.
Smart. Speaking to the Smart speaker by NLS will be held Thursday, August 20th at 6pm the all may Eread. The monthly NLS program that focuses on the NLS Braille Ereader will be held Tuesday, August 25th at 6pm via Zoom. Topics for these NLS programs have not been released yet. Check our blog, IowaLibrary blog for updated information.
Contact the Library if you need assistance getting registered for any of the NLS events.
[00:12:38] Speaker B: The library will be closed Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.
Please don't hesitate to contact the library with any questions or comments at 515-281-1323 or by email at librarylind state ia us. The library is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm Happy reading.
There.
