More Ways to Enjoy Your Book

Jan Bobbett

One sizable area of our library is dedicated to large-print books (LPs), which many of our customers appreciate. Newer LPs are in the locked Best Sellers cabinet, along with other best sellers. A librarian can help you borrow these best sellers (Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

While on the topic of large-print books, we want to underscore how precious they are. Let’s face it, for most of us, our vision isn’t what it used to be—a good reason to value LP books.

And now here is some information about another great local resource: the Robson Library. Their librarians can help those with vision issues (as well as those without). Here’s what I learned about many additional free services of this county system. I was interested in two in particular. You might be, too. You might not know about the following services or how to take advantage of them, but you can learn from some helpful professionals. Here’s something to think about: Visit the library on Riggs Road and learn what I did.

* First, the Robson Library has audiobooks, which are spoken, so you can check them out and absorb them without reading. Instead, you listen to them on your smartphone, if you have one, or on your tablet. Robson has a great selection of audiobooks, and you can check them out via your electronic device.

* Another option is equally appealing. This is for those who want to do their own reading, whether they have a vision issue or not. Again, you can borrow a book on a tablet or computer. Not only can you read it online (on your device), you can even change the print size!

Now, understand this: Nobody expects you to be able to accomplish all of this on your own.

The good news is that the county librarians are determined to make these options available to us. I needed some serious help learning about these new ways to enjoy a book. And, boy, did they help me. They will help you, too. For example, if you need help changing the print size in a book you select, visit with the staff again (and again … ), and they will show you how to make the system work for you.

Don’t miss this other valuable resource that is so close by.

Meet the Librarian of the Month: Vicki Dees

Vicki was a Special Ed teacher for 21 years in Loving, N.M. Even before becoming a teacher, though, she wanted to be a librarian. Now, as a librarian, you can see her organizing the books and helping patrons. She favors mysteries. Even her TV preferences are frequently based on books, and she enjoys what we could call TV-based books, like Rizzoli & Isles. She also likes gardening and her water exercise class, but I would say her true passion is animals. She and husband Rick have two cats and a dog.

Newly Purchased Hardcover Books for Our Readers

Jan Bobbett

1. Linwood Barclay’s The Lie Maker. Reviewers tend to use “fast-paced” and “twisty” to describe this book. With plot twists and turns, you might not be surprised to learn that the main character struggles as he tries to track down his father. Did I mention “Witness Protection” plays a role. See what follows.

2. Heather Morris’ The Tattooist of Auschwitz in large print. This is the real love story (95% true) of Lale Sokolov at Auschwitz concentration camp. Sokolov became the tattooist who permanently tattooed his fellow prisoners. That included the woman he fell in love with. The novel is based on interviews of Sokolov by Heather Morris. This classic earned #1 New York Times Bestseller status. It sold more than three million copies in 2018 when published. Note: In this novel, you meet Cilka, who becomes the central character in Cilka’s Journey (by Morris), which is on our hardcover fiction shelf.

3. Ann Napolitano’s Hello Beautiful. A few words tell how I feel about this book: It’s the best book I’ve read in many years. Yes, I recommend it. Some potential readers might like to know this: It’s Oprah’s 100th Book Club pick.

4. Nora Roberts’ Identity in large print. Here’s the first sentence: “After escaping from a serial killer, a woman tries to reclaim her life.” Reviews reveal that her latest novel is a terrifying thriller that is full of suspense, intrigue, and romance.

5. Melissa Sevigny’s Brave the Wild River. The previously untold spellbinding adventure of two women who mapped the botany of the Grand Canyon. This book was mentioned in Arizona Highways recently. In 1938 two women botanists (and others) ran the fearsome rapids of the Colorado River. “Through the vibrant letters and diaries of the two women, science journalist Melissa L. Sevigny traces their daring 43-day journey down the river.”

6. Luis Alberto Urrea’s Good Night, Irene. It’s a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Urrea has created an intense epic based on the true story of heroism of women during World War II. It’s also a tribute to his own mother’s courage and overlooked heroism. Kristin Hannah calls it “powerful, uplifting, and deeply personal.”

Look for these in our Best Sellers cabinet. To borrow any book from there, see a librarian between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday and sometimes Sunday.

Meet our Librarian of the Month: Jeanne Schwan

Jeanne has been a resident of Sun Lakes for 30 years and a librarian here for over 15 years. And here’s a revealing tidbit: She got her first library card 77 years ago.

Her career was in banking, primarily at the Federal Reserve in Portland, Ore.

You can see Jeanne walking around Lake 4 with two of her tiny dogs—one holding “baby” all the way around.