The 2nd Annual Book Festival is this Saturday in Adel. So far no rain is in the forecast. Yea! There are all sorts of events planned for the day. Our keynote speaker is Frank Deford. He is an an author, sports writer and radio commentator. He will speak at 9:00 a.m. at the community stage and pavilion. For a full list of activities go to partners. adeliowa.org. Plan on spending your Saturday in Adel for a fun filled day!

I’m going on a trip to Ixtapa, Mexico this Saturday! I can’t wait! I’m taking this trip with 5 girlfriends from high school. We are having one of those big birthdays this year and we decided 10 years ago that we would plan a trip together for this birthday! Here is what I will be doing: reading, laying on the beach, eating and shopping. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

I read a really good book last week. It is called A prisoner of birth by Jeffrey Archer. Here is a little bit about the book: A man framed for the murder of his best friend seeks revenge against the four men who put him in Belmarsh prison, the highest-security jail in the land, from where no inmate has ever escaped. I couldn’t put the book down! Don’t you love reading a book like that?

Have you ever considered being a Friend of the Library? It is a great group of people that help raise money for the library. We have an annual book sale, ice cream social, bake sale and gift wrapping at Christmas. The money helps fund the summer reading program and other needs on our wish list. Are you asking yourself why should I be a friend? There are lot’s of benefits and here are two: friends members get to shop early at the book sale and friends members get to be a guest at the annual spring luncheon. The free luncheon is April 19th this year at 11:00 am at the library. We will be having a program on aprons and everyone is encouraged to wear an apron. Guys too!

I heard the luncheon menu this week and it sounds yummy! Please join us that day to learn more about being a Friend of the Library. We are asking for a RSVP by April 12th if you are able to attend. Call the library at 993-3512.

I sure hope there isn’t any snow or rain next week in Iowa. I will so bad for everyone!

Take care,

Paula

I am replacing worn children’s books and came across Where’s Waldo? How many of you have spent countless hours looking for that little guy in the striped shirt, hat and glasses. They’re fun aren’t they? For the initial UK release of Martin Handford’s book in 1987, he titled the character “Wally.” Wally became a pop-culture sensation in the early 1990s. In the first two books, Wally wandered alone. However, over time more characters were added to find in each scene. Wikipedia lists many of those characters. So if we do have any more snow go to the library and check out a Where’s Waldo book and have fun!

Go Drake!

Paula

O.K. I messed up on the March calendar and the city newsletter! I put our activities one week later than it actually is. Spring break is the 17th - 21st at A-D-M. We will have Teen Wii play on the 17th of March from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Grades 1-5 will have Wii play from 1:00 - 4:00 pm on the 18th. There will be a movie shown on the 20th at 2:00 pm. Thanks to the school for pointing it out to me!

We had fun Leaping into the Tropics last Friday. The adult prize winner was Christi Tisl. She won a cute glass fish. Cora Larsen won the child’s prize and it was a plastic drinking cup with straws that looks like a pineapple. I’m going to be positive from now on and not complain about the weather. Spring is March 20th!

Our book discussion group read the book Eye contact by Cammie McGovern last week. I thought it was a very good book. Here is a summery of the book: In the aftermath of a child’s shocking murder, the mother of the only witness, an autistic boy, struggles to work through her son’s trauma and his communication disabilities in order to help. I recommend this book.

Have a great week, Paula

I am so tired of the cold weather! The Adel Public Library staff is going to change their cold weather blues into a tropical sunny paradise! We are going to”Leap into the Tropics” next Friday, February 29th. Everyone is invited for fun, games and food! We are giving prizes away if you come to the library that day in a tropical outfit. I don’t care if there is 10 feet of snow on the ground you will think summer that day at our library! I hope you can join us for the fun!

I hope you are getting plenty of reading done this winter. I read 8 books in 3 days last weekend. There isn’t much more to do in weather like this except eat, read and sleep! I read a book by Earl Emerson that was pretty good called Primal threat. Here is what the book is about: Heading for the mountains for a cycling trip, Zak Polanski and his friends are terrorized by a jealous former boyfriend, but when one of the stalker’s friends falls to his death, Zak and his companions struggle to get off the mountain alive. I like this author. I would recommend him if you are looking for a new author.

Happy reading!

Paula