Director of Library Operations Pam Parker recommends The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson. Readers of Erik Larson’s other noteworthy historical exposés, such as The Devil in the White City (2003), will find familiar territory in his new Civil War-themed work, The Demon of Unrest (2024). I found this latest effort to be surprisingly suspenseful considering that the Civil War is a subject about which plenty has already been … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Demon of Unrest
Library Blog
Film Review: Downwind
Maintenance Manager Jerry McDonald recommends Downwind, a Backlot Docs presentation. I was compelled to watch Downwind, released August 2023, because to me it’s an important topic that affects us all to this day. Martin Sheen narrates this harrowing exposé of the United States' disregard for everyone living downwind when they tested 928 large-scale nuclear weapons in Nevada from 1951 to 1992. Science fiction is one of my favorite categories, but this is a nonfiction documentary with … [Read more...] about Film Review: Downwind
Book Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Children's Librarian Polly Hopkins recommends The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is one of few books that I’ve read and had the ability to remember (sadly), and I can also recall the profound and lasting effect it had on me. Prior to reading it, I had no idea what the premise of the story would be. I’m a dog fanatic and the book was a gift from my mom, who likely chose it solely based on the word “dog” … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Review: Taylor Swift
Children's Librarian, Helen Morgus, recommends Taylor Swift's books and music. Can we talk about Taylor Swift? If you are a Boomer, as I am, your first reaction could be “Why? Do we have to?” Dear reader, I urge you not to underestimate the power of this bedazzling woman over the people you love. Or it may just be culturally useful for you to understand Taylor Swift’s hold on the affections of people as diverse as four-year old boys, 30-year old women, and David … [Read more...] about Review: Taylor Swift
Call for Local, Self-Published Authors
The Community Library is hosting a Local Authors Showcase August 15, 2024. Deadline to apply: July 31, 2024. The Community Library is hosting a Local Authors Showcase from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on August 15, 2024, in the John A. and Carol O. Moran Lecture Hall. This is a terrific opportunity for local, self-published authors – who don’t typically receive powerhouse publicity machines to nudge their books onto bestseller lists – to take the stage and share their work. The … [Read more...] about Call for Local, Self-Published Authors
Pulling Into Station
Finian Ayliffe, Wood River Museum of History & Culture Intern From the onset of 90-degree weather, to the influx of tourists following the Fourth of July, it’s clear that summer has come to the Wood River Valley in full force. This time, like many times of year in the valley, is dominated by the unrelenting economic force of tourism. Looking back at this photograph, taken around the early 1940s at the Ketchum railway depot, it’s clear that the more things change, the more they stay the … [Read more...] about Pulling Into Station
