Draco casts claudit librocella!

Carnegie-Stout Public Library will be closing at 4 p.m. today (Thursday, December 20th) due to the ongoing blizzard conditions. We hope that you are all bundled up safe and warm at home!

As you snuggle up with your cocoa, or recover from shoveling the front walk, we've put together a few snow related links to keep you entertained and informed.

First up, Brian in our IT Department captured this time lapse video of the snow falling on Locust St as seen through the windows on the second floor.



If you're wondering about the title of this blog post, the Weather Channel has decided to give names to winter storms this year (just like hurricanes!), and the blizzard that has brought the tri-states to a halt shares a name with a certain Harry Potter character.

Of more practical use, the government has tips for weathering a blizzard safely (http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather). You can check out the latest snowfall totals from the National Weather Service (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=dvn), or play around with interactive snow maps (http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/).

And never fear Dubuquers! Even though the library is closing early, our OverDrive collection is available 24/7 (barring blackouts)!

Check out more Grumpy Cat here: http://www.grumpycats.com/

Urban Farm is June's Magazine of the Month

Urban Farm is a new addition to Carnegie-Stout's magazine collection! Created in a response to the growing popularity of sustainability, green living, and people who keep chickens in city limits, we added Urban Farm after we received a patron request.

This magazine comes from the same publishers of Hobby Farms and Hobby Farm Home (http://www.hobbyfarms.com), but is designed for those of us who have far less than even a single acre at our disposal. Come in and check out the latest issue, or take a tour of the tips and tricks on their website: www.urbanfarmonline.com

You might also enjoy checking out our Spotlight on Gardening post, which includes more reading suggestions for the hobby farmer enthusiast!

Kitty Cornered by Bob Tarte

Try as I might, there are librarian stereotypes that I cannot escape. I have thick glasses, I'm an introvert, I own several cardigans and I am, above all else, a cat lady. At one time in my life, I found myself responsible for five cats at once. I currently own two - one wayward cat was reclaimed by his owner (after having wandered, somehow, to my house from across the river) and two passed away. Luckily, I am not the only cat owner at the library, and I can get my multiple-kitty fix anytime.

Becoming a cat lady (or lord) can creep up on you. You start with one, adopt another because she might be lonely, then you spy a stray in your neighborhood, or a friend of a friend can no longer take care of some poor, defenseless elderly cat, and can’t you please take him in? This is how Bob Tarte, author of Kitty Cornered, found his house filled with six cats of wildly differing personalities (this is after he and his wife took in a multitude of ducks, parrots, chickens and rabbits).

In the beginning, the Tarte household had only two cats - Moobie, an aging white cat, and Agnes, a black cat who enjoys tripping people as they navigate the stairs. They’re soon joined by Lucy, Maynard, Tina and - eventually - Frannie. Each cat comes with his or her own baggage. From Lucy’s disdain for litter boxes, to Maynard’s (originally Maybel) constant wailing and Frannie’s insistence on being petted while she eats. Anyone who has owned a cat can sympathize not just with Tarte’s struggles to make each cat feel at home, but also with his strong desire to do so, even at great financial and mental costs.

What makes this book so entertaining and heartwarming is Tarte’s earnestness to earn each cat’s affection. The most difficult cat to win over, Frannie, who Tarte and his wife caught only fleeting glimpses of at first - eventually comes around, as much as a cat can. Each chapter tells the story of how each cat came to join the household, and the troubles and travails entailed. There are many laugh-out-loud moments in the book, such as Moobie’s adaptation to wearing an Elizabethan collar (or, as Tarte’s wife calls it, “the funnel of happiness”) and some poignant ones as well. Throughout, Tarte narrates with self-deprecating humor, mixing his own anxieties with those of (and for) his animals. The lengths to which he goes to for his cats - and his deep love for them - were immediately familiar to me. How many other pet owners have anxiously checked litter boxes and water bowl levels when a pet is ill? Or wonder if a momentary limp or prolonged scratching means something more dire than what it appears to be?

As with any book about a beloved pet written lately, the end of the book is usually dedicated to the inevitable decline in the pet’s health, the excruciating decisions that must be made and the reflection on the aftermath of loss. Being as soft-hearted as I am, I have avoided such books because I simply can’t bear to read about the death of a pet, or even about the tragic circumstances the pet was rescued from. No Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat or Homer’s Odyssey for me, thank you. So I was hesitant to pick up Kitty Cornered, for fear of a chapter ominously titled “Borrowed Time” or “The Big Meadow.” Happily, there is no such sadness in Tarte’s book. While two of the cats have close calls, we’re left with an image of a warm and chaotic household where cats outnumber humans, and happily so.

You can see photos of Tarte's cats on his website, and browse a collection of photos of C-SPL staff cats, too!

Cozy Mysteries-Animals, Bugs, and Birds

Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, the cats from the Rita Mae Brown series, were my first introduction to animals who helped solve mysteries. Cats seem to be the most popular sleuths, with at least four series just about them. Animals, bugs or birds play a part in several other cozy series.

Clicking on the blue hyperlink will take you to the library catalog for the entire series. The bold title is the first book in the series, followed by a description, provided by NoveList.

Meg Langslow (Most Recent: 2011)
By: Andrews, Donna
Murder, with Peacocks: (Not Owned) So far Meg Langslow's summer is not going swimmingly. Down in her small Virginia hometown, she's maid of honor at the nuptials of three loved ones--each of whom has dumped the planning in her capable hands. One bride is set on including a Native American herbal purification ceremony, while another wants live peacocks on the lawn. Only help from the town's drop-dead gorgeous hunk, disappointingly rumored to be gay, keeps Meg afloat in a sea of dotty relatives and outrageous neighbors.

Cat mysteries (Most Recent: 2007)
By: Babson, Marian
To Catch a Cat: Eleven-year-old Robin wants to join a popular gang at school. They'll accept him, though only if he kidnaps the prize-winning cat of old Mrs. Nordling first. But when Robin sneaks into the Nordlings' house in the dark of night, he gets more than just a schoolyard thrill. An argument, strange sounds, a woman's cry, and the cat--hurled out of a room--are all Robin needs to grab the frisky kitty and get packing. Then Mr. Nordling, covered in his wife's blood, lurches out into the hallway, and Robin runs for his life...feline prize in hand.

Melanie Travis mysteries (Most Recent: 2008)
By: Berenson, Laurien
A Pedigree to Die for: (Not owned) Thinking her life could not be worse after a disastrous summer peaks with her uncle's death, Melanie Travis realizes that she is in for more trouble when the disappearance of her uncle's prize-winning poodle suggests that murder has taken place.

Cat Who mysteries (Most Recent: 2007)
By: Braun, Lilian Jackson
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards: Former author and newspaper reporter, Jim Qwilleran, who has been taking lesser jobs and even been unemployed for a long time, is offered a starting job in the Feature Department, at the Daily Fluxion. As Qwilleran begins meeting artists, for an article, he senses strange undercurrents among the so-called modern art set. After Qwilleran moves into an apartment, he finds an ally in Koko, his landlord's Siamese cat. And when vandalized paintings, accidents, and murder occur, Qwilleran and Koko together solve the puzzle.

Mrs. Murphy mysteries (Most Recent: 2011)
By: Brown, Rita Mae
Wish You Were Here: Mary Minor Haristeen, postmistress of Crozet, Virginia, joins forces with her willful cat, Mrs. Murphy, and her Welsh corgi, Tucker, to investigate a series of bizarre postcards sent to the town's inhabitants that forecast impending death.

Sister Jane Foxhunting mysteries (Most Recent: 2008)
By: Brown, Rita Mae
Outfoxed: In a mystery set in the high-class and tradition-bound world of Virginia foxhunting, the murder of a candidate for the coveted "joint-master" leaves many suspects among the social climbers vying for the position.

Dog walker mysteries (Most Recent: 2011)
By: McCoy, Judi
Hounding the Pavement: Manhattan dog walker Ellie Engleman becomes a murder suspect when one of her clients is found dead and the deceased's prizewinning bichon is missing, and she works with handsome Detective Ryder to discover the true culprit.

Queen bee mysteries (Most Recent: 2010)
By: Reed, Hannah
Buzz Off: During National Honey Month, beekeeper Story Fischer sets the town of Moraine, Wisconsin, abuzz when she must defend her bees, her business and her ex-husband from a murder accusation.

"BARK" is October's Magazine of the Month

October is Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month, and in honor we've selected BARK as our magazine of the month!

"BARK is the magazine of modern dog culture" for dog lovers of all ages! You can read more about BARK on their website (www.thebark.com), or you can check one out at Carnegie-Stout today!

And if you're in need of canine companionship, be sure to visit the Dubuque Regional Humane Society:
www.dbqhumane.org They also have volunteer opportunities and other ways you can support local pet adoption!

Check out our Facebook page to see photos of Library Dogs that staff members have fostered, rescued, and adopted!

If you're considering adopting a shelter dog, you might want to check out this new book:
Love at First Bark: How Saving a Dog Can Sometimes Help You Save Yourself by Julie Klam (615.8)

And if you're just wild about dogs, check out our Art of Racing in the Rain Read Alikes

BARK isn't our only animal-centered magazine either, be sure to check out:
Dog World
Cat Fancy
Bird Watching
Horse & Rider

Read Alike: "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein

Garth Stein's first novel, Raven Stole the Moon, was published in 1998 to positive reviews. Raven Stole the Moon is the story of a woman who returns to her Alaskan Tlingit roots after the sudden death of her five-year-old son, drawing on Mr. Stein's own family heritage. Before he became a published author, Mr. Stein had a successful career as a movie producer. It's The Art of Racing in the Rain, though, that has caught the attention of so many readers.

The Art of Racing in the Rain's narrator is Enzo, a Golden Retriever mix who dreams of reincarnation as a human. Enzo is thoughtful, caring, philosophical and often frustrated by the limits of his communication skills as a dog. He was adopted by Denny, an F1 racer, as a puppy, and named after Enzo Ferrari. Enzo and Denny's world is quickly upended when Denny meets and marries Eve, and they have a child. The story becomes more complicated as the characters struggle to reconcile their desires and the challenges of life.

The choice of Enzo as narrator creates a fresh perspective in this family drama, and allows for some much needed humor when the plot grows darker. It is Enzo's unique perspective tied with the all-too real character relationships that have made The Art of Racing in the Rain such a popular choice for readers and book clubs since its publication.

You can read more about Garth Stein and Enzo at his website: http://www.garthstein.com/index.php

If you've read and loved The Art of Racing in the Rain, you may also enjoy these titles:

A Dog's Purpose by Bruce Cameron
The canine narrator of this heart-warming and funny novel experiences several incarnations as different dogs. Some lives are long and happy, while others are short and sad, but it is the quest for happiness and love that draw the reader along with the protagonist.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
A deeply philosophical French novel about a residential building in Paris narrated in turns by a suicidal twelve-year old tenant, and the reserved concierge; both of whom keep their intellectual natures hidden and alone, until the arrival of a Japanese businessman who sees their value. Though it lacks both dogs and racing, though the insightful and occasionally humorous tone is similar to Enzo's style.

St. Dale by Sharyn McCrumb
This modern retelling of The Canterbury Tales has the characters on a pilgrimage to honor the fallen hero of NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt. In much the same way that Enzo turns to his heroes in the world of Formula One, the varied group of characters in St. Dale, look to Earnhardt to understand their own lives and goals.

Walking in Circles Before Lying Down by Merrill Markoe
This darkly humorous novel takes many of the conventions of chick-lit, family drama, work stress, and relationship troubles, and gives it a little twist. After Dawn is dumped by her boyfriend, her dog Chuck commiserates, and Dawn discovers she has a bit of Dr. Dolittle's talent. Ms. Markoe has since written Nose Down, Eyes Up, which also explores the relationship between humans and our canine companions.

The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe by Andrew O'Hagan
The last years of Marilyn Monroe's life told through the eyes of her dear companion, the Maltese Mafia Honey. Philosophy, politics, and a dizzying array of celebrities populate the pages of this off-beat and witty novel.

Timbuktu by Paul Auster
Mr. Bones, a dog, accompanies his master, Willy G. Christmas, in the last days of his troubled life as a writer and Santa Claus' prophet. After the death of his human friend, Mr. Bones navigates life in a world far more conventional, but no less mad.

The Labrador Pact by Matt Haig
The incredibly loyal black lab, Prince, wants only to protect his British family, but finds it difficult to save them from themselves. Despite a humorous tone, readers should be warned that Prince's story ends in a far darker fashion than Enzo's does.

One Good Dog by Susan Wilson
Adam March has lost everything: his career, his family, and his carefully constructed perfect life. Then he is introduced to Chance, a pit bull rescued from the world of dog fighting. Adam and Chance take turns narrating their stories of redemption.

The story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
This bleak novel of a family of dog breeders in rural Wisconsin borrows pieces of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" to tell a haunting coming-of-age tale. The narration shifts among the characters, but primarily follows young Edgar, who cannot speak, and his loyal dogs.


A few non-fiction titles about dogs and their people that you may enjoy:

• You Had Me at Woof by Julie Klam (636.7 KLA)
• Merle’s Door: Lessons From a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote (636.709 KER)
• Oogy by Larry Levin (636.7092 LEV)
• Marley and Me by John Grogan (636.752 GRO)
• Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz (636.7 HOR)
• Through a Dog's Eyes by Jennifer Arnold (636.7 ARN)
• My Dog Skip by Willie Morris (813.54 MOR)
  

Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!