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Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Dayton Theatres and the Library

The same weekends, Dayton Theatre Guild is producing on Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Not only does the library have an English translation of the book by Choderlos de Laclos, but if you are feeling ambitious, we have selections from the original French version as well. You can also find the movie in French with English subtitles under the original title, or an English language version with the translated title Dangerous Liaisons that features Glenn Close, John Malkovich, and many other well-known actors.
-- Kristen, Main Library
Thursday, August 20, 2009
World Champion Bar-B-Q

It’s already the middle of August, so its time for those end of summer barbecues. This book is a great source for barbecue recipes as well as some side dishes that complement the sweet and spicy flavors of the meats. Willingham defines barbecue as the process of cooking meat in a closed chamber using indirect heat produced by hardwood logs, chips, chunks, pellets or charcoal. For Willingham, barbecue is a food that is quintessentially Southern--even the side dishes here are Southern favorites. After defining barbecue as a food that is cooked a certain way in a certain place, Willingham starts on the recipes. First, the appetizer chapter provides recipes for old country staples such as deviled eggs and pimiento cheese spread. The bread chapter comes next, showing recipes for southern style biscuits, no-knead refrigerator rolls and corn bread. Then comes the barbecue chapter-- and every type of meat is included. A recipe for Willingham’s World-Champion Ribs is offered, as well as Dixie Chicken and South Carolina-Style Pork. There is a chapter on cooking with grills– the backyard kind – and also one on chilis. And there is the side dish (fixins) chapter which includes Ultimate Mashed Potatoes. There is a chicken, fish and seafood chapter and one on slaws, salads and sandwiches. Finally comes a chapter on sauces, dry rubs, marinades and glazes and one on desserts. This is a really great book for anyone who wants to do barbecue the way experts do it--from the barbecue to the side dishes to dessert, everything you need is here.
-- Mary Ellen, Main Library
Monday, August 17, 2009
Stuff We Found While Weeding

I remember the hubbub when this book came out—“that big football player does needlepoint?” Well, he did. And he also wrote a book about it. Like its author, the book is big and friendly, and full of good advice like, “One thing to remember if you have someone paint a canvas for you is that you should have them spell your name right.” Appearing with his decidedly guy-oriented needlepoint projects (needlepoint samurai, anyone?) you will find several of his friends whom he has roped into sharing his hobby. A sweet-natured, nostalgic book, even if you don’t give a toss about needlepoint.
Comparative Urban Design: Rare Engravings, 1830-1843, Melville C. Branch.
There is a special kind of person out there who loves to look at old maps and I confess to being one. This book is a treat for people like me in that it reproduces maps of major world cities from a narrow time period and puts them all in one place for easy browsing. Okay for me, you might say, but of what practical use could this be to anybody else? Well, if you are planning some genealogical tourism, this could help you visualize where your forebears lived. Or if you are a reader (or writer!) of historical fiction, this could be an informative tool for you. Or maybe you just want to meditate on the state of the world of urban planning in the mid-18th century. Otherwise, if you are a cartographile, plan on relaxing in a chair under a tree and spending an afternoon flipping through all these delicious maps. On a side note, the other author given credit for this book is The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, so you just know it has to be good!
Folk Toys of Japan, Misako Shishido, translated by Tatsuo Shibata.
Long before Hello Kitty and Pokemon there were toys in Japan with intriguing legends behind them. This classic book from 1961 gathers 50 tales and illustrates each one, sometimes with delicate color reproductions. The stories are sweet and touching and may seem vaguely familiar to anyone who has watched the anime of Hayao Miyazaki. The most touching of all may be the one with the funniest-sounding name: the tale of the Bean-Jam Bun Eater. Trust me.
-- Sue, Main Library
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Sandman Slim

This is the grittiest, darkest paranormal noir that I have ever read. The pace is fast and the dialogue is razor sharp. It is not for the faint of stomach, but if you can handle the guts and gore place your request today and be one of the first to get your hands on a copy.
-- Kristen, Main Library
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Best Freezer Cookbook: Freezer Friendly Recipes, Tips and Techniques

It’s almost time to start thinking about preserving our Summer garden produce, and this little book is a great way to start yourself out by learning freezing techniques. First, the book explains how freezing preserves food, followed by some helpful tips to get you started. Next is a table that shows how long various foods will keep in the freezer. Then there is a section on how to thaw different types of food. Next, there is a chapter on freezing fresh foods. This includes tips and information on freezing specific fruits and specific vegetables. Also there are instructions for how to freeze meat, poultry and fish. The book also offers some recipes using food you have frozen. “Sweet Onion and Tomato Soup with Fresh Basil Crème” is offered as a way to use frozen tomatoes. There is a recipe for “Best-ever Meat Loaf” that sounds great and includes tips for freezing it. In the entertaining chapter is a recipe for “Mini Cheese Souffles” and how to freeze the puff pastry if you wish. A final chapter on baking offers “Harvest Apple, Pear and Cranberry Pie with Cheddar Pastry”, which sounds delicious as a Fall dish. This book is full of information on freezing food and recipes you can make using it.
-- Mary Ellen, Main Library
Friday, August 7, 2009
The Night Counter

-- Kristen, Main Library
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