July Magazines of the Month: Smithsonian & The Sun

Our July magazines of the month celebrate the culture and history of this great nation. The Smithsonian is a national collection of museums, archives, and research centers covering everything from history to space exploration. The Sun is a literary and photography magazine that began publication in a North Carolina garage in 1974.

The Smithsonian magazine is available to read through our Zinio collection on your tablet, smart phone, or computer. The magazine began publication in the 1970s, and issues are released monthly. You can learn more about the Smithsonian Institution here: www.si.edu and the Smithsonian magazine here: www.smithsonianmag.com

Sy Safransky is the man behind The Sun, and is in many ways a reflection of his ideals, including its dedication to physical print and keeping its pages ad-free. You can learn more about The Sun on their website: thesunmagazine.org

Boating and NASCAR Illustrated are our June Magazines of the Month

June is a perfect time of year for outdoor activities, which has inspired our selection for the magazines of the month: Boating and NASCAR Illustrated. That Father's Day is June 15th, and many fathers (including mine) enjoy both boats and NASCAR is an additional bonus.

Boating is a magazine for powerboat enthusiasts and publishes ten issues every year, as well as a yearly boat buying guide. Each issue covers industry developments, reviews of boating gear and accessories, boating safety guides, fishing information, and DIY projects.

You can check out a copy from the library, or learn more on their website: www.boatingmag.com

NASCAR Illustrated is, as the title suggests, packed with full color photographs from NASCAR races. In addition to the pictures, there are profiles, interviews, and features to appeal to any NASCAR fan.

There are additional photos and videos available through their website: www.nascar-illustrated.com

Staff Review: Last Night at the Blue Angel by Rebecca Rotert

Last Night at the Blue Angel by Rebecca Rotert
This book will be published on July 1, 2014.

I had trouble putting this one down, perhaps in part because I struggled to know who the protagonist is - the best kind of story! The two alternating narrators manage to be simultaneously devastating, encouraging and inspiring. Rotert beautifully explores love, passion, desire and responsibility through relationships between complex (mostly female!) characters. Most of the book is set in 1960's Chicago and includes struggles with sexuality, sexism, coming of age and civil rights. The story has a fascinating historical aspect, but is so urgent and heart-wrenching, it is timeless. Read if you love music, US history or asking lots of questions.

~Rachel, Technical Services