In the Stacks: Nonfiction titles to tide you over
Whether you're already longing for spring or waxing up your skis in anticipation of winter, there are new nonfiction titles just for you.
"100 Years of the World Series," by Eric Enders. The World Series is over until next October, but comfort yourself with this comprehensive overview of the past century. Arranged chronologically with a rundown of the games in each year's series. This book is chockfull of photos and includes appendices of composite statistics and box scores. This is the book to take home when you're pining for Opening Day.
"Secrets of the Snow," by Edward R. LaChapelle. Winter is right around the corner, and with any luck we'll be seeing plenty of snow on the slopes. Get ready for your back-country snow activities with this new title. Chapters cover the effects of wind on snow, freezing rain, rime, snow in trees and melting snow, as well as visible avalanche-related features. There are plenty of photos to illustrate the clear and concise text.
"The Media Monopoly," by Ben H. Bagdikian. When the first edition of this title was published (and called "alarmist") in 1983, there were 50 corporations controlling media in the United States. But now that number has dropped to six. The fears that Bagdikian voiced in 1983 for the independence of the media have come true, making his new preface, in which he details the woes yet to come as a result of even newer technologies, even more chilling.
"Yellow," by Frank H. Wu. This book tilts the discussion of racial relations in America on its side by approaching it from a seldom-seen angle - Asian-Americans. Never strident, Wu weighs in on many policies in effect in the United States, both written and unwritten. He tackles issues such as affirmative action, racial profiling and interracial marriages, and discusses the ways that stereotypes of Asian-Americans, even when they seem positive, ultimately hurt.
"How to do it standing up," by Barry Dougherty. With a foreword by Richard Pryor, this Friars Club guide to being a comedian has something for everyone. Well-known comedians, including Phyllis Diller, Howie Mandel, Shecky Greene and Gilbert Gottfried, recollect their best and worst experiences for "wanna-bes," and whether you are looking for advice on standup comedy, gimmicks, getting your first break or getting over your first failure, you'll find it all here.
"Backache: What exercises work," by Dava Sobel and Arthur C. Klein. Those who've experienced back pain know that relief often seems like a hit-or-miss proposition, but the advice from this book can make it more of a sure thing. The authors include information on starting and maintaining exercise programs composed of back strengthening and stretching exercises, yoga and meditation as forms of backache relief, and they stress the importance of correct posture and positioning in everyday activities to maintain a healthy and pain-free back.
"Voices from the Trail of Tears," by Vicki Rozema. In the first half of the 19th century, nearly 100,000 Native Americans were forcibly relocated from their homelands to reservations created by the American government; the most famous of these was the emigration of the Cherokee in 1838. Using newspaper clippings, editorials, journal entries, letters and official documents, Rozema has brought this difficult period in American history to life.
"A Traveler's Guide to Mars," by William K. Hartmann. This cleverly-conceived book delivers a lot of information in a tidy format. Lots of photos, maps, and diagrams make Mars accessible to readers, while the text provides factual and fascinating information. With sections on Mars' history, geography and future, this is a great read for anyone interested in our next great space destination.
"The Fine Art of Small Talk," by Debra Fine. Some people are born with the gift of gab, while others have to learn it. If you are in the latter group and want a little help with the next social occasion (it's nearly holiday-party season), this book will help you feel more at ease introducing yourself, starting conversations and even making graceful exits instead of desperate escapes.
"Identity Theft," by Robert Hammond. Do you carry your social security card in your wallet? Forget to shred your credit card offers before you toss them out? Use this book to learn to protect yourself from the most common (and profitable) identity scams. And, in case it is too late, there are chapters on how to protest fraudulent charges and how to recover (emotionally and financially) if you've been an identity theft victim.
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Put your kids in their party pajamas and help us celebrate the new children's reading room at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. Admire the new stars on our ceiling, enjoy some gingerbread, and then settle in for an hour of bedtime stories and lullabies with Youth Services staff MJ, Carol, Cindy and special guests Martha Scott Stey, Margie Hamburger and friends.
•If you'd like to place a hold on any of these titles, call the Juneau Public Library at 586-5249. If you have Internet access, your library card and a PIN, you may place your own holds by going to our Web site (www.juneau.org/library) and look at our catalog. Placing holds on items featured in this column is now even easier. The new columns are hyperlinked to the catalog: Simply look up the column, click on the title you want and you will be ready to place a hold.