Port Library, Beloit KS
1718 N. Hersey
PO Box 427
Beloit, Kansas 67420
785-738-3936
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Enemies at Home by Lindsey Davis

10/27/2014

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Hi!  This is Rachel Malay, director at the Port Library in Beloit. Although it is almost a week away, the library wants to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!  The library will have treats to hand out on Halloween, so be sure and stop by and show us your costume.

Murder mysteries are popular on television, in movies, and most certainly in books. Author Lindsey Davis writes murder mysteries with a unique setting: ancient Rome. The library has several titles in the Marcus Didius Falco series, about a “private inquirer” in Rome during the reign of Dominitian. That series ended in 2010, but fans need not worry. An offshoot of the Falco series featuring Falco’s adopted daughter, is available.  Enemies at Home is the second in the series, although it can be read alone. Flavia Albia has taken up her father’s former profession, and is tasked with looking into a recent double murder. A wealthy couple is found dead in their own bedroom and their house burglarized. The most natural conclusion is that the house slaves revolted and committed the crime.  Some of the slaves fled the nearby Temple of Ceres seeking haven. Flavia gets to work with pressure both from the government to solve the crimes, and citizens who just wish life to return to normal.

In addition to a riveting murder mystery, this book will also inadvertently teach you quite a bit about ancient Roman life. A map at the front will help navigate the places mentioned in the book, and a cast of characters will introduce you to people mentioned in earlier books in this series.                

You can get the book reviewed here and more great titles to watch, read, listen to, or play with at the Port Library at 1718 N. Hersey in Beloit. This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”

Enemies at Home by Lindsey Davis
ISBN: 9781250023773, 342 pages.
Adult Mysteries

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Great Maps: The World's Masterpieces Explored and Explained by Jerry Brotton, published by the Smithsonian Museum and DK Books

10/20/2014

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Hi!  This is Rachel Malay, director at the Port Library in Beloit.  Each Saturday I tell you about great items available for check out at the library. The library is having the first of a monthly series of video game nights coming up this Thursday evening at 7. This program will be all about Minecraft, and we’ll have themed snacks and activities, in addition to the game on Xbox. Call the library to register!

In this new digital age, for many people maps have become that little voice speaking to you out of your smartphone as you navigate a new city. But we all remember, and many still use, the paper version. Before the age of satellite imagery and GPS systems, maps were a vital way to explain, explore, and illustrate our world. The Smithsonian Museum, in partnership with DK Books has published a beautifully illustrated and photographed guide to historical maps, called Great Maps: The World’s Masterpieces Explored and Explained. This large format book features photos, details, and explanations of the world’s most well-known historical maps of the earth, the stars, and cultures too, from Iron Age petroglyphic art, to Asian star and constellation chart to diagrams of mytical utopias and all the way to the modern London Underground subway chart. The last entry in this list is, of course, Google Earth. So much extra information is covered in picture and diagram, that this book would find a good audience with any historian, art collector, arm chair traveler, and of course map enthusiast.

You can get the book reviewed here and more great titles to watch, read, listen to, or play with at the Port Library at 1718 N. Hersey in Beloit.  This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”

Great Maps: the World's Masterpieces Explored and Explained by Jerry Brotton, published by the Smithsonian Museum and DK Publishing.
ISBN: 9781465424631, 256 pages, fully illustrated
Non fiction, history section

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Jane Austen's First Love by Syrie James

10/13/2014

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Hi!  This is Rachel Malay, director at the Port Library in Beloit.  

Most of Jane Austen’s novels weren't published while she was alive, but after her death her works have enjoyed waves of popularity.  Recently, more Austen-related books have been published, and the library is glad to stock the shelves with this week’s Port Pick: Jane Austen’s First Love by Syrie James. This is not the author’s first Jane Austen related book, though it can be read alone with no problem. Inspired by actual events, this fictionalization starts with fifteen year old Jane visiting her brother in Kent, England to celebrate his engagement. While attending social engagements, Jane meets wealthy, handsome Edward Taylor. Her heart races every time she sees him, and he seems to return some of her affections. However, there is another suitor for Mr. Taylor, and in an effort to distract herself, Jane tries matchmaking with three other prospective couples around her. But, matchmaking is trickier than she originally thought, and none of Jane’s efforts go as planned. If Jane cannot help others in love, how can she hope to navigate her own heart?

An afterward by the author provides the historical basis for this fictionalized account, and fills in the reader on where Jane Austen’s life took her after the events of the book.  A reader’s guide is also included for possible book club discussions.

You can get the book reviewed here and more great titles to watch, read, listen to, or play with at the Port Library at 1718 N. Hersey in Beloit.  This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”

Jane Austen's First Love by Syrie James
ISBN: 9780425271353, 400 pages.
Adult Fiction

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Navigating Early by Claire Vanderpool

10/6/2014

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Hi!  This is Rachel Malay, director at the Port Library in Beloit. Recently the library has received several 2014 Kansas Notable Book award winners through a grant from the State Library.  This week’s review and last week’s selection features the two titles selected for younger readers.  Library patrons may find these and the other 2014 Kansas Notable Books in the Kansas and Genealogy room in the coming months.

Navigating Early by Claire Vanderpool is not the author’s first book, or first book to win an award, or even the first book with ties to Kansas. If you pick this title up, I doubt it will be the first of this author you read too. Young Jack Baker has had quite a change in his life. World War II has just ended, and his Navy commander father is home from war.  However, Jack’s mother has also just passed away, and Jack is sent from northeast Kansas to boarding school in rural Maine. Soon after arriving, Jack makes friends with Early Auden, the oddest boy at the school. Early is a whiz at math, and sees the number pi as a story. Early has also suffered loss as his older brother Fisher was killed at the beginning of the war. Finding themselves alone at the school, Early takes Jack on an adventure to find the legendary Great Appalachian Bear, and maybe his older brother, whom Early believes is still alive.  Along the way the two discover more than they’re looking for, and while navigating the backwoods both find paths to answers for their own situations. 

And a reminder to our younger readers & parents of younger readers: registrations for Story Port on Monday afternoons at 3:45 is still open. Call the library for details. You can get the book reviewed here and more great titles to watch, read, listen to, or play with at the Port Library at 1718 N. Hersey in Beloit.  This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”

Navigating Early by Claire Vanderpool
ISBN: 9780385742092, 306 pages
Kansas Collection, fiction

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