Dream Big-Read

I love my job.  I have wanted to be a librarian since I was a Camp Fire girl in the 5th grade.  Almost all my merit "beads" were completed at the Cedar Rapids Public Library much to the chagrine of the children's librarian.  This year's summer reading theme, DREAM BIG - READ is an apt description of much of my childhood.  I love libraries and what they stand for and the services they provide, but let me tell you, vacations are nice.  Last week my family and I rented a cabin near Rhinelander, WI at the Merry-Dale Resort on Lake George Rhinelander.  What a beautiful place.  The cabin was roomy, fully furnished and about 200 feet from the lake.  We saw deer, loons, eagles, and every night we had a frog serenade.  We had a lovely lawn, a fire pit, our own dock, a boat and motor, and no mosquitos!  Everyone else fished and I read.  I read "The Yellow House" an historical novel by Patricia Falvey.  The story of the Irish rebellion is told through the eyes of one valiant young woman, a millworker, who tells the tale as no one else could.  The novel has family drama, adventure, and a couple of love stories.  I enjoyed it.  I also started a nonfiction work titled "The Dragon's Trail" by Joanna Pitman which traces the history of Raphael's famous painting of St. George and the Dragon.  It is a fascinating tale of power and intrigue.  So, that's what I call a vacation--time for nature, time for family, and time for reading.

Today I am excited about a brand new book.  Heather Gudenkauf, Dubuque resident, has just published her third novel, "One Breath Away."  I just bought it today.  Gudenkauf is the author of "The Weight of Silence" and "These Things Hidden" which are stories about secrets that can tear families apart.  She is skillful at drawing you into her characters and the settings are small town Iowa.  I read both of her other novels and loved them.  I can't wait to begin this new one which is about a school shooting.  Gudenkauf is signing books tonight at River Lights and will also be at Books a Million on Saturday, July 9th.  Dubuque County Library owns the book but the holds are mounting up.  We will be ordering more copies so get your requests placed now.

Summer reading is in full swing.  Storytimes are going and there are lots of programs.  Be sure to check our website at http://www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us/ for all the details.  Remember now is the time to enter our drawing for a free, color NOOK.  We are giving away 7 NOOKS at the end of summer reading.

Don't forget that our Real Science series starts Monday, July 16th.  Plan to attend the program, which will be a hands-on science demonstration, at your local branch.  Every child who attends will receive a certificate, program folder, and they will make a project to take home.  All this is free courtesy of a grant from IEEE (Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineering/Chicago Section.)  Call 582-0008 for more information.

Dubuque County Library branches will be closed for the holiday on July 4th.  I hope you have a safe and happy holiday.

Dawn