Hi!  This is Rachel Malay, director at the Port Library in Beloit. I hope everyone’s looking forward to the upcoming holiday!  The library will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday the 28th and also on Friday the 29th.  We’ll reopen at our regular time on Saturday.

The library has several shelves full of books on quilting, cooking, crafting, jewelry making, sewing, and this collection is circulated quite a bit.  However, when it comes to craft work traditionally done by men, how-to’s and picture books of examples are sometimes harder to come by.  Originally written in 1891 and now republished in paperback, A Manual of Wood Carving by Charles G. Leland was the most popular self-educational crafting book in its day.  As is to be expected of books published over 100 years ago, there is more text than illustration.  However, a careful reading of the instructions proves that this slim volume is still useful and easy to understand.  The pages themselves have not been reset or retyped; merely this is a photo copy of the original work.  After a modern introduction and list of other books by the publisher the reproduction of the book begins. After an introduction listing tools and how to use them, the following chapters are divided into 20 lessons of increasing complexity and skill.  The last three chapters cover repairs, stains, fillers, and how to make your own tools.  An appendix even provides ideas for projects.  So, if you have a passing interest in woodcarving, wish to start a new hobby, or are an experienced craftsman wanting new ideas, this is a good book to flip through. 

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, on the North Campus.  This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”

A Manual of Wood Carving by Charles G. Leland
ISBN: 9780983150053, 200 pages.  B&W illustrations.
Adult Non-Fiction, handicrafts section

Hi!  This is Rachel Malay, director at the Port Library in Beloit. Thursday of this week at 7 pm the library will have a special presentation, giving new ideas on ways to wear scarves.  And although most people may think this only applies to cold weather fashions, we’ll have ideas for all year-round.  So, if you’re looking for ways to freshen your wardrobe in time for the holidays call or stop by early next week at let us know you’ll be there.  We’ll also have refreshments, door prizes, and a scarf to give away donated by S&S Drug!

Duck Dynasty is the name of yet another reality TV show, this one on the A&E network.  It follows the family at the heart of the Duck Commander business that produces duck calls for hunting. What makes the TV show popular is not the day to day business of manufacturing duck calls, but the day to day lives of the family, and at the head is Phil Robertson. Known for rock solid beliefs in faith and family, his most well-known catch phrase is “happy, happy, happy.” Now he has penned a memoir of his life up to this point, the title of which is his famous catch phrase. Happy, Happy, Happy: my life and legacy as the Duck Commander is organized into fourteen rules for living. These rules don’t follow Phil’s life in chronological order, but anecdotes in each chapter paint a fairly complete picture by the end of the book. And, if you want to know what Phil thinks of any given subject, just turn to that chapter! There is not much of a sugar coating when it comes to saying what he believes in. This title is in large print, and after spending some time on the new book shelves it will be shelved with the rest of the large print nonfiction collection.

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, on the North Campus. This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”


Happy, Happy, Happy: my life and legacy as the Duck Commander by Phil Robertson and Mark Schlabach.
ISBN: 9781611739251, 262 pages.
Adult Large Print Biographies

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

Mention Louis L’Amour, and most readers know who you’re talking about.  While the prolific writer of western stories passed away in 1988, his stories continue to capture new readers and are reborn frequently in different formats and settings.  Most recently his son, Beau L’Amour, helped Charles Santino re-imagine perhaps the first western penned by the iconic writer. Law of the Desert Born was first a short story, then an audio play, and now is a graphic novel.  

Illustrated in grays, black, and white, this short story follows an old rancher in New Mexico, betrayed by the not so honorable son of an old ranching partner and friend.  To get revenge for the betrayal a ranch hand named Shad Marone starts cattle rustling.  But Shad’s friend and fellow ranch hand Jesus Lopez is blamed for the rustling, and then Shad commits a murder to cover up the rustling.  When a posse is formed to find Shad, Jesus finds his way to come along.  But what will happen when the two meet up in the desert?  

At just under 150 pages of picture with text, this is a quick read and a great new way to experience a classic story.  Beau L’Amour gives a short history of the story at the back of the book and an “about the author” section gives more insight into the illustrators.  If you’re of the younger crowd and haven’t experienced a western, this is a great way to get started in a new genre.  If you’re a seasoned reader, why not try an old familiar in a new format?

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, on the North Campus. This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”


Law of the Desert Born, adapted by Charles Santino & Beau L'Amour
ISBN: 9780345528124, 152 pages, fully illustrated B&W
Adult Westerns

Hi!  This is Rachel Malay, director at the Port Library in Beloit. Later in November on Thursday the 21st the library is having a program for ladies young and old on scarf fashions and new ways to wear scarves.  We’ll even have a door prize.  So, come for some fashion inspiration to brighten up your wardrobe for the winter!

After reviewing cozy mysteries for the last couple of weeks, this week I’m highlighting a guide to handicrafts with a country touch.  Prairie Girl Gifts: A Prairie Girl’s Guide to Skills both Practical & Whimsical highlights nine projects to make for yourself or for gift giving.  Simple knitting skills are shown with the intent of knitting a shawl, as well as instructions for lavender water, scented soap, lemon verbena cologne, candle making, a drawstring gift bag, plus several other edible gifts.  This slim volume is actually just a selection from a bigger book titled A Prairie Girl’s Guide to Life.  The pages are set with larger type and clearly printed instructions.  An anecdote or fact about country life on the prairie years ago usually accompanies each new project.  Sprinkled throughout are snippets of old-fashioned terms and phrases with a modern explanation.  There are only a few illustrations, and no photographs, so this book is not for the absolute crafting beginner.  However, for a quick homemade gift idea this book at only 29 pages can provide easy inspiration.  This paperback was published in conjunction with Threads magazine, and other selections from the same publisher can be found in the back.

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, on the North Campus. This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”


Prairie Girl Gifts: A Prairie Girl's Guide to Skills both Practical & Whimsical by Jennifer Worick
ISBN: 9781621139492, 29 pages, color illustrations
Adult Non Fiction, crafting