My Life, Deleted

Scott Bolzan slipped and fell in his office bathroom on Dec. 17, 2008 and suffered one of the worst cases of permanent retrograde amnesia on record. He had no memory of anything before his fall...no memory of his family (a wife, daughter and son), no memory of being a pilot or his aviation business and in some cases, no memory of the meaning of words. Scott and Joan (his wife) share their journey with honesty and humor. One of the ways that Scott "relearns" things is by watching TV...in particular, The Sopranos. He suffers from debilitating headaches. She has to adjust to the role reversal when she must find a job to support the family. She also must reintroduce herself to him as he has no memory of their 24 years of marriage.

My Life, Deleted: a Memoir. By Scott and Joan Bolzan. c 2011

RC394.A5 B65 2011 (currently shelved in New Books)

Thunder Dog

"Safety is somewhere down below and 1,463 stairs are the only way out." This is one of the quotes on the book jacket of Thunder Dog. Michael Hingson is a survivor of 9/11 and his story is even more miraculous because he is blind. He and his guide dog, Roselle, navigated their way down from the 78th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center. Interspersed in the book is some of Michael's story leading up to 9/11 as well as what happened that day. If you love animal stories, you will like the book. If you like reading about 9/11, you will like the book. If you wish to learn more about guide dogs, you will enjoy the book.

This book is in the New Book shelving at the library:

HV6432.7.H54 2011

Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero.

written by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory

c2011

Little Princes

Child trafficking...a subject that makes all of us uncomfortable, I'm sure. Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal tells the story of Conor Grennan and his quest to find the homes of the children from an orphanage in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. This story is both heart-breaking and uplifting. One cannot help but love the children and hope that Conor will succeed in his mission. Want to find out how it ends? Well, I suggest you read the book. :-)

Why I picked it up: Because we have so Nepalese students, I thought I might learn a bit more about their culture.

Why I finished it: The resilience of the children drew me in and I really wanted to see if they were able to be reunited with their families.

I'd give it to: My niece who has such a soft heart and would immediately want to fly to Nepal and bring all those children home.

call # - HV1285.9.G74 2010

Grennan, Conor. Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost children of Nepal. c2010

New items in Stoxen Library

Check out all the books and DVDs added during the first three months of 2011--January, February, and March! You will find the link to New Library Purchases on the library's home page under About the Library . For your convenience, the Library of Congress classification numbers are included to direct you to where the items are shelved.

One of the new books is The Power of Half : One Family's Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back by Kevin Salwen. The Salwen family decides to sell their Atlanta mansion, move to a home half the size, and commit half the proceeds to the needy. Putting their plan into action, family decisions and meetings are led by mom Joan, a former corporate consulting executive and teacher. Entrepreneur and activist Kevin, a former Wall Street Journal editor, writes with daughter Hannah, who, as instigator of the family project, provides commentary and practical suggestions.

Kasey to the rescue: the remarkable story of a monkey and a miracle

A single mother of five, Ellen Rogers thought she was capable of surviving anything that could happen to her family, but in 2005 her son, Ned, was involved in a horrific car accident and left with spinal cord and other injuries. With the doctors and therapists painting a "doom and gloom" future, they struggled to get through each day hoping and praying for a miracle. One of the family's miracles takes the form of a 5 pound monkey named Kasey. Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled trains capuchin monkeys for people living with spinal cord injury or other mobility impairments.

Why I picked it up: I couldn't resist the picture of Kasey on the cover of the book.

Why I finished it: Ellen writes about everything that happened to them...the good, the bad and the ugly. I wanted to know how they got Kasey and how she became a part of their family...and it wasn't all easy.

I'd give it to: My niece who loves all animals and would delight to read Kasey's (and Ned's) story.

call # - RC406.Q33R64 1020 (shelved in New Books)

Rogers, Ellen. Kasey to the Rescue: The Remarkable Story of a Monkey and a Miracle. c2010.

The Dirty Life - A book review

The Dirty Life


On Farming, Food, and Love


by Kristin Kimball

Single, thirtysomething, working as a writer in New York City, Kristin Kimball was living life as an adventure. But she was beginning to feel a sense of longing for a family and for home. When she interviewed a dynamic young farmer, her world changed. Kristin knew nothing about growing vegetables, let alone raising pigs and cattle and driving horses. But on an impulse, smitten, if not yet in love, she shed her city self and moved to five hundred acres near Lake Champlain to start a new farm with him. The Dirty Life is the captivating chronicle of their first year on Essex Farm, from the cold North Country winter through the following harvest season--complete with their wedding in the loft of the barn. -From book jacket.

Why I picked it up: I have been on a kick of reading about urban homesteading, small scale farming, and simplifying by moving toward a less electronically connected way of life. And of course the picture of the barn on the cover.

Why I finished it: I checked this book out from our library, by page 42 I had fallen in love. By page 48 I ordered my own copy. I enjoyed reading about the love that develops between Kristin and her husband, and between Kristin and the farm. She wasn't afraid to share gritty, real details and tensions of learning new things.

I'd give it to: Anyone interested in "growing their own" & anyone looking for a love story.

Tin Ticket: the Heroic Journey of Australia's Convict Women

This book details the lives of four women from the British Isles convicted of petty crimes in the 19th century. Their crimes range from stealing a bucket of milk to pawning 11 spoons. Instead of being jailed, they are shipped to Australia where men outnumber women 9 to 1. They are issued "tin tickets" that have numbers stamped on them and are hung around their necks for their journey via ship. The conditions that they endure both on the ship and while they are in jail in Australia are horrific!

Why I picked it up: I have always been fascinated with Australia and hope to travel there someday.

Why I finished it: While this book is non-fiction, it reads more like a novel, so I really wanted to find out what happens to all four women.

I'd give it to: Any of my friends who also want to travel to Australia. :-)

call #-HV8950.T3S95 2010

Swiss, Deborah. The Tin Ticket: the Heroic Journey of Australia's Convict Women. c2010

Deadliest Sea

On March 23, 2008 the Alaska Ranger (a fishing trawler) began taking on water in the Bering Sea. After placing calls for help, the crew of 47 would eventually abandon ship to the frigid water. Many knew if they weren't rescued soon they would either drown or freeze to death. Two Coast Guard helicopters were dispatched to the scene to try to rescue them under less than ideal circumstances.

Why I picked it up: I know little about the Coast Guard and this branch of our military.

Why I finished it: I wanted to see who survives and the details of their rescue.

I'd give it to: There is ample description not only of the rescue, but also what goes on when a fishing boat sets sail for an expedition. So I'd give it to anyone who wants to know more about open sea fishing as an occupation as well as how the Coast Guard operates.

call # - G530.A193T466 2010 (currently in New Books)

Thompson, Kalee. Deadliest Sea. c2010

New webpage!

The University has a new webpage. This means the library also has a new webpage: www.dickinsonstate.edu/library.aspx

At the University webpage, you will find a library link at "current students."

If you encounter any difficulty accessing library resources, please call us at 701-483-2135.

Stoxen Library Hours for the week of Thanksgiving

Monday November 22 – Tuesday November 23

8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Wednesday November 24

8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Thursday November 25 – Saturday November 27

CLOSED
We will reopen Sunday November 28

4:00 pm – 11:00 pm

They called themselves the K.K.K.

Six young men started a "club" in 1866 in Pulaski, Tennessee. This club came to be known as the Ku Klux Klan. At first they limited their actions to riding the countryside at night, crashing parties while wearing their ghostly ornate costumes. Soon they recruited more men and, modeling their club after a fraternity, had secret handshakes and passwords, initiation rituals and other secret rites. Their actions soon took a turn towards violence and former slaves were on the receiving end of threats, whippings, beatings and even lynchings. The book is filled with photos, illustrations and interviews.

Why I picked it up: I know little about the Ku Klux Klan and this seemed like a good way to find out about its origins.

Why I finished it: It was interesting to read about this time in our history.

I'd give it to: Anyone who doesn't know much about the Ku Klux Klan. The book is well-researched and is a fairly easy read.

call # - HS2330.K63B37 2010 (currently located in New Books)

They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: the Birth of an American Terrorist Group by Susan Campbell Cartoletti c2010

Banned Books Week - September 25 - October 2, 2010

We have collected some of the books in our collection that have been banned or challenged in libraries around the country and placed them on display to encourage you to celebrate your freedom to read. Please stop by the library and see if any of your favorite authors or books have been challenged. Each year Banned Books Week serves to draw attention to the harms of censorship. You may view a list of the Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009 by clicking here.

Killer Thrillers!

This summer the National Public Radio (NPR) audience nominated their top 600 "killer thrillers" and we now have the list of the top 100! The newest display on the "cube" right inside the library door has the complete list of the winners. The titles that Stoxen Library owns have been pulled and are displayed. So check it out and see how many you have read!

Game night at the library

Check out the photos from Game Night at the Library. The photos are on the Library's Facebook page. Look for Stoxen Library - Dickinson State University!

And the winners are....

Thank you to all who participated in the Summer Reading and Film Challenges. We look forward to hearing any comments or questions you may have that could help improve our summer program. And without further ado:

The winner of the special drawing for reading books from 20 or more categories:

Rachel Ogubunka

The winner of the special drawing for viewing films from all 21 categories:

Carol Eacret-Simmons

Additional prize winners from both categories:

1. Lisa Dolechek
2. Susie Kapelovitz
3. Krystal Thomas
4. Cindy Thronburg
5. Joseph Jones
6. Susan Mellmer
7. Diane Melbye

The Poker Bride: the First Chinese in the West

This book is about the gold rush years in California and the Chinese immigrants that were so much a part of that time in history. There is much about Chinatown in San Francisco, the sex trade and the laws of the "hatchet men" (the Chinese version of the mob). Some of the book is about Polly, a Chinese concubine smuggled to San Francisco, who eventually is "lost" in a poker game and marries Charlie Bemis. I will admit that I was disappointed in how little of the book is actually about Polly...with its title I expected the book to be almost entirely about her and it isn't. Doesn't make it a bad book...just a deceiving title in my mind.

Why I picked it up: I will admit I found the title to be intriguing...deceiving, but intriguing!

Why I finished it: It was an interesting book and I did want to find out more about Polly and her life story.

I'd give it to: Anyone interested in history...especial the Gold Rush days.

call # E184.C5C67 2010

The Poker Bride: The First Chinese in the West by Christopher Corbett c2010.

Horrors of Andersonville: Life & Death Inside a Civil War Prison

Andersonville existed only for the last 14 months of the Civil War and conditions there were horrific! The prison was designed to house 10,000 prisoners, but held 32,000 at one point! Food was scarce and medical supplies practically nonexistent. Almost 1/3 of the prisoners died. At the end of the war, the prison's commandant, Captain Henry Wirz, was tried and hanged.

Why I picked it up: I have read few things about the Civil War and this looked interesting...but awful at the same time!

Why I finished it: I wanted to see who survived and how some of the issues would be resolved. Even though the events described were almost unbelievable, I was astounded at the human spirit's determination to survive.

I'd give it to: Anyone interested in the Civil War.

call # - E612.A5G685 2010

The Horrors of Andersonville: Life and Death Inside a Civil War Prison by Catherine Gourley c2010.

Final Display for the Reading Challenge

We have assembled the final displays showcasing books from two genres on the Reading Challenge list. For the next couple of weeks you will be able to browse displays of Fables & Folklore and Travel.

The Film Display features Staff picks.

Please note the deadline for turning in your reading and viewing logs has been extended to Wednesday August 18th. Anyone who turns in their logs will receive a complimentary beverage card for Common Grounds as well as the opportunity to have your picture taken for a personalize READ poster. We will be drawing for prizes on Friday August 20th.

New Displays for the Reading and Film Challenges

We currently have on display books in the categories of Poetry and Western/Pioneers.

For the film challenge we have selected DVDs and videos on Art and Agriculture.

Just a reminder that the deadline for the summer challenges is Friday August 13. Please turn in your reading/viewing logs at the Main Circulation desk at the Library and you will receive a complimentary beverage certificate for the Common Grounds Coffee Bar. If you are interested in your very own personalized READ poster we can make arrangements at the time you turn in your logs.

Summer Reading Challenge continues

There are two new displays for the summer reading challenge... animals and food/cooking. Stop by the library and check them out!