JANUARY 2009 IN THE UMC LIBRARY

 NEW ADDITIONS TO THE UMC LIBRARY!! - January 22, 2009

Let a runner be sent to the next village:  no more reaching down to pick out a tape recording of the Sunday service.  A rack has been installed right behind the entry door to the library (be careful you don't whack someone if the door is partially closed!).  Tapes for the present and past three months are displayed on this eye-level rack.  Please remember to sign-out and -in tapes on the clipboard on the adjacent bookcase.

New Books

 "Home: A Novel" by Marilynne Robinson [FIC ROB] is this year's book choice for the women's fellowship.  Set in the 1960's in Iowa, it's an accounting of a modern-day prodigal son.  Themes include the aging process with its incremental losses and unresolved family relationships.  Be prepared to haul out the Kleenex.

Two new children's books on the topic of death and dying have been added.  "Tear Soup" by Pat Schweibert [J 155.9 SCH, wall adjoining the nursery] tells the story of an elderly woman and her recent loss.  While aimed at children, the book has lots of tips for adults to use in dealing with their own grief, or the grief of friends and men.  "Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs" by Tomie dePaola [E DEP, children's easy-to-read books] tells the story of a young boy struggling to understand the loss of someone he loved.

If non-fiction is your preferred genre, try one of the following:  "Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation" by Eboo Patel [305.69 PAT].  This is the remarkable account of the author's coming to understand what led him toward religious pluralism rather than hatred.  In "Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy" by Donald B. Kraybill et al [289.73 KRA] the story of the Nickel Mines school shooting is told from a Christian perspective and presents a powerful example of turning away from revenge.

New issues of "Sojourners Magazine" [magazine shelf] include articles on:  letters to President Obama, amazing grace in a mental ward, helping parents resist the siren song of marketers, responding to the economic crisis, mountain music: saving a Kentucky community and its culture, and Africa - continent of hope.  From time to time denominational magazines are placed on the magazine shelf.  Take time to read "Behind the Hammer" from the Mennonite Disaster Service.

While there's a listing of new library additions on the bulletin board in the lobby, you can peruse the UMC library catalog online 24/7 at:  http://www.librarything.com/catalog/UnivMenno.  So check out the library in person or online.