Nonfiction

Submitted by schwartz on August 31, 2010 - 3:46pm
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Wealth Watchers: a simple program to help you spend less and save more by Alice Wood, 2010 A new exciting author, Alice Wood, has published a 2010 book called "Wealth Watchers: a simple program to help you spend less and save more." A national review magazine describes Wood's Wealth Watchers program as an "ingenious" and "Highly original, common sense approach to managing money." Using personal experience, Wood has adapted techniques used in weight management to help people manage their money; basic finances, insurance, college expenses and more by following her program Wealth Watchers. The book is easy-to-read and filled with common sense ideas that everyone can try. ~JD

Nonfiction

Submitted by schwartz on August 25, 2010 - 2:14pm
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That Crumpled Paper was Due Last Week : helping disorganized and distracted boys succeed in school and life by Ana Homayoun
Just in time for back-to-school, this book will help parents give their boys guidance on achieving in the classroom.  Ana Homayoun provides some great ideas on where to study (dining room is the best), how long to study (two hour blocks), and what technology to allow while studying (none - till they need it to do their homework).  She offers organizational suggestions - binders not expandables and other tools that will help your child.  A chapter on quizzes, projects and tests emphasizes flash cards, review sheets and lots of highlighting.  While reading this book, I had my own notebook and was taking notes.  She also stressed that a parent should present these new ideas gradually and don't overwhelm the child.  These ideas could easily be used with any student, boy or girl. --ss

Nonfiction

Submitted by thomas on March 10, 2010 - 2:18pm
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Pulled by the Heart : a woman’s real-life story of living and escaping the Middle East by Nancy T. Wall, 2009.

Nancy T. Wall grew up in Neenah so it’s natural that we would be especially curious about her story. She leaves Wisconsin for Beirut Lebanon to begin married life with Maher, a Syrian who attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Nancy has a lot to adjust to – a new lifestyle, new foods, cultural traditions, her husband’s family, the language and, oh yes, a Civil War in Lebanon. Nancy writes about her children and the various locations in the Middle East that she lives in or visits – it’s an insider’s account – more personal and descriptive of everyday life than a travelogue. It’s interesting to learn about the foods she eats, shopping, her homes, raising children and what it is really like to live with extreme heat, sandstorms and a monster rainstorm. As a member of a well-to-do family she also travels to Europe and visits her Wisconsin family. Suddenly, her story changes dramatically! She is in danger! At this point in the book, I began reading the pages as quickly as possible and stayed up late to finish the book!

When I met Nancy I asked her the question she said audience members at many of her author talks had also asked: “Have you been on Oprah?” And with the recent Academy Awards, I might ask Nancy when she comes to the Oshkosh Public Library on April 14 at 7:00 pm – do you think Sandra Bullock should play you in a movie version?--JD
 

Nonfiction

Submitted by thomas on March 5, 2010 - 9:07am
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Origins of the Specious: myths and misconceptions of the English language by Patricia O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman

For those who love wordplay and etymology, Pat O’Conner is always a treat. Here she tackles the history of the uses (and mis-understandings about the uses) of ain’t, hopefully and an assortment of phrase and Anglo-Saxon four-letter words not suitable for the library’s website.--MM
 

Nonfiction

Submitted by thomas on March 4, 2010 - 9:15am
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Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs : the making of a surgeon by Michael Collins

Michael Collins was working in concrete construction to pay off his college loans from Notre Dame. An older co-worker urges him to think about a long-term career, and although he was an English major, Michael decides to become a doctor. He will need to take undergraduate classes in chemistry and biology before he can even apply to medical school. The descriptions of his large Chicago Irish family, his co-workers and his fellow students have you cheering for Michael the whole way to his graduation. --MM
 

Nonfiction

Submitted by belsky on October 12, 2009 - 3:25pm
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That’s So Annoying: An Etiquette Expert on the World’s Most Irritating Habits and What You Can Do About Them by
Cynthia W. Lett

We all have our own pet peeves and irritations and this book offers solutions to handling these situations. It is a fun book but I was a little disappointed in the lack of creativity. For several issues the author simply says we have to live with it, including screaming children in public places and people who use express checkout lanes with too many items. I expected this book to have more unique ways to handle difficult issues. It is a fun to look through but not all that insightful. --KH
October 12, 2009

 

Nonfiction

Submitted by belsky on October 12, 2009 - 3:13pm
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Making of the fittest: DNA and the ultimate forensic record of evolution by Sean Carroll
Carroll, a University of Wisconsin professor, looks at how DNA demonstrates the evolutionary process. In a readable manner, he uses monkeys, dolphins, and microbes to demonstrate evolution and DNA. Picks up where scientist Richard Dawkins has left off. A complex subject explained for the non-scientist. --SB
October 12, 2009

 

Nonfiction

Submitted by belsky on October 9, 2009 - 9:32am
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Horsing Around in Wisconsin: The state’s best stables, barns and trails for lessons and training by Anne M. Connor

Everything you wanted to know about horsing in the state. The book is divided into four quadrants: Southwest, Southeast (covers Winnebago Co.), Northwest, and Northeast. Each section provides a listing of stables and barns, and riding trails. Some stables/barns and trails are covered in depth and others have a short description. All have location and contact information. List of Wisconsin horse associations and selected tack shops can be found at the end of the book. Since I knew there were great horse trails at the Wildcat Mountain State Park, I checked to see what they said about them. They were mentioned as being some of the most popular trails in the state. Another exceptional book from the publisher, Trail Books, based out of Black Earth, Wisconsin. –SS
October 9, 2009

 

Nonfiction

Submitted by belsky on October 9, 2009 - 9:28am
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Ghost hunters: William James and the search for scientific proof of life after death by Deborah Blum
At the turn of the twentieth century, a group of well-known intellectuals formed the Society for Psychical Research in America. William James may have been the most recognized name in the group, but there were also psychologists, philosophers, and two future Nobel Prize winners. Much of the society’s efforts were devoted to exposing frauds, but even the hard-core scientists were baffled by medium Leonora Piper. A fascinating book, for both believers and nonbelievers.  SB

October 9, 2009

 

 

Nonfiction

Submitted by belsky on October 9, 2009 - 9:24am
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Motorcycling Across Wisconsin by William Murphy

I’m not a motorcycle owner or rider, but still picked up this book out of curiosity. The book consists of many motorcycle tours throughout the state. Each tour is provided with a map, detailed directions, background information on the area, what will be seen along the route, and the mileage of the route. Tours include around Lake Winnebago, Kickapoo Valley (very scenic), a Superior ride, Great Lakes rides and Door Peninsula. Appendices include Wis. Motorcycle Operation Laws, Hotel & Motel contact information and motorcycle dealers and repair shops. A definite recommendation for riders who like to enjoy the ride, attractions and scenic views along the way. --SS
October 9, 2009