Shelf Talk January 23

Here are some reading recommendations from the Dripping Springs Community Library for the month of January, chatted up by Century News columnist Alice Adams.

Happy belated New Year and welcome to 2020! I couldn’t wait to read my horoscope (for fun, of course) and this year portends an exciting new adventure. Now I wonder what that could be? Hmmm.

As I was saying, beginning a brand-new year can be a joyous event, and in your planning, be sure to include a visit to our amazing community library, where there are not only books but so much more.

My friend Della has a new passion -- working on her family tree, so she’ll be dropping by, from time to time, to use the library’s resources, including Ancestry.com, newspapers.com and all the tools she needs to dig into the documents that will help her discover past generations of her family.

Margo, a DS newcomer, is trying to decide whether to enroll in Monday All-Abilities Chair Exercise - Mind, Body and Soul class, from 9:15-10:15 a.m. or should she sign up for Monday Meditation, from 5:00-6:15 p.m. After much thought, she enrolled in both and loves her instructors, classmates and what she’s learning.

Seeking to slow down during the hectic holiday schedule, John noticed the Dripping Springs Community Library had a beautifully bound, red leather edition of Jane Austen’s Persuasion and began re-reading it. As he so wisely pointed out, “You can't rush Jane Austen,” and then pointed out some of Jane’s delicious sentences, like, “Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot's character; vanity in person and of situation...Few women could think more of their personal appearance than he did; nor could the valet of any new-made lord be more delighted with the place he held in society."

Talk about life-changing! But that’s the role of many libraries in countless lives -- across the country and around the world.

So, maybe you’re not ready for experiences to change your life, but if you’re even the least bit adventurous, you may want to check out (no pun intended) one or more of these great books, recommended by the library’s hard-working staff for your reading pleasure

ADULT DEPARTMENT       

The Inflammation Spectrum: Find your food triggers and reset your system by Will Cole -- From the international bestselling author of Ketotarian comes a revolutionary new plan to discover the foods your unique body loves, hates, and needs to feel great.

In Dr. Will Cole's game-changing new book, readers discover how inflammation is at the core of most common health woes. What's more, it exists on a continuum: from mild symptoms such as weight gain and fatigue on one end, to hormone imbalance and autoimmune conditions on the other. How you feel is being influenced by every meal. Every food you eat is either feeding inflammation or fighting it. 

Because no one else is you, the foods that work well for someone else may not be right for your body. At heart, The Inflammation Spectrum is about learning to love your body enough to nourish it with delicious, healing foods. You'll find insightful quizzes and empowering advice to put you on a path toward food freedom and overall healing, once and for all.

YOUNG ADULT DEPARTMENT     

Catfishing on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer-- Kirkus Reviews 2019 Best of the Year Selection.

How much does the internet know about YOU? A thought-provoking near future YA thriller that could not be more timely as it explores issues of online privacy, artificial intelligence, and the power and perils of social networks.

Because her mom is always on the move, Steph hasn’t lived anyplace longer than six months. Her only constant is an online community called CatNet―a social media site where users upload cat pictures―a place she knows she is welcome. What Steph doesn’t know is that the admin of the site, CheshireCat, is a sentient A.I.

When a threat from Steph’s past catches up to her and ChesireCat’s existence is discovered by outsiders, it’s up to Steph and her friends, both online and IRL, to save her.

Catfishing on CatNet is a surprising, heartfelt near-future YA thriller by award-winning author Naomi Kritzer, whose short story “Cat Pictures Please” won the Hugo Award and Locus Award and was a finalist for the Nebula.

CHILDREN’S DEPARTMENT

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander-- The Newbery Award-winning author of THE CROSSOVER pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree. Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes. 

The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing stark attention to the endurance and spirit of those surviving and thriving in the present. Robust back matter at the end provides valuable historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more.