Pick of the Week

For this Memorial Day weekend, might we suggest for your reading enjoyment:

Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Family Man

by Brian McGrory

Brian McGrory's life changed drastically after the death of his beloved dog, Harry: he fell in love with Pam, Harry's veterinarian. Though Brian’s only responsibility used to be his adored Harry, Pam came with accessories that could not have been more exotic to the city-loving bachelor: a home in suburbia, two young daughters, two dogs, two cats, two rabbits, and a portly, snow white, red-crowned-and-wattled step-rooster named Buddy. While Buddy loves the women of the house, he takes Brian's presence as an affront, doing everything he can to drive out his rival. Initially resistant to elements of his new life and to the loud, aggressive rooster (who stares menacingly, pecks threateningly, and is constantly poised to attack), Brian eventually sees that Buddy shares the kind of extraordinary relationship with Pam and her two girls that he wants for himself. The rooster is what Brian needs to be – strong and content, devoted to what he has rather than what might be missing. As he learns how to live by living with animals, Buddy, Brian’s nemesis, becomes Buddy, Brian’s inspiration, in this inherently human story of love, acceptance, and change. In the tradition of bestsellers like Marley and Me, Dewey, and The Tender Bar comes a heartwarming and wise tale of finding love in life’s second chapter - and how it means all the more when you have to fight for it.

And for more suggestions about heart-warming animals, be sure to use our NoveList service!

OverDrive to release OverDrive Media Console v2.6.5 on 5/28/13

If you use the OverDrive Media Console app for iOS or Android, this is just a heads up that OverDrive will be releasing version 2.6.5 on Tuesday May 28. For more info, go to http://overdriveblogs.com/library/2013/05/21/overdrive-media-console-for-android-and-ios-out-may-28th/.

Upcoming Library Closings 5/24 - 5/27/13

All branches of the Pamunkey Regional Library will be closed on Saturday May 25 and Monday May 27. Additionally, the Goochland Branch Library will also be closed on Friday May 24.

Thursday at the Library (5/23/13)

Programs & Events

Movie Night @ the Library at 7:00 p.m.
Location: West Point Branch Library
Ages 13 & up.  See a great movie at the library on the big screen.
Refreshments provided by the Friends of the West Point Library.

Pick of the Week

For no other reason than because I love it, may I suggest for your entertainment:

Double Indemnity

starring Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck

Director Billy Wilder (Sunset Boulevard) and writer Raymond Chandler (The Big Sleep) adapted James M. Cain's hard-boiled novel into this wildly thrilling story of insurance man Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray), who schemes the perfect murder with the beautiful dame Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck): kill Dietrichson's husband and make off with the insurance money. But, of course, in these plots things never quite go as planned, and Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) is the wily insurance investigator who must sort things out. From the opening scene you know Neff is doomed, as the story is told in flashback; yet, to the film's credit, this doesn't diminish any of the tension of the movie. This early film noir flick is wonderfully campy by today's standards, and the dialogue is snappy ("I thought you were smarter than the rest, Walter. But I was wrong. You're not smarter, just a little taller"), filled with lots of "dame"s and "baby"s. Stanwyck is the ultimate femme fatale, and MacMurray, despite a career largely defined by roles as a softy is convincingly cast against type as the hapless, love-struck sap.

And for suggestions of books all about dames and saps, be sure to use our NoveList service!

Monday at the Library (5/20/13)

Programs & Events

Computer Basics I at 9:00 a.m.

Location: Mechanicsville Branch Library

Learn the parts of the computer, how to use a mouse, and try out some basic computer tasks.  You must call (804) 746-9615 or visit the library to sign up for this class.

Poetry Contest Celebration at 6:30 p.m.
Location: King & Queen Branch Library
Celebrate poetry with us as we acknowledge our Poetry Contest participants and winners. Everyone is invited! Refreshments provided by the Friends of the King & Queen Library.

UKW Adult Book Club at 7:00 p.m.

Location: Upper King William Branch Library

Join for our monthly book discussion group at the library.  Please call or visit the branch for the title to be discussed.

Thursday at the Library (5/16/13)

Programs & Events

Pajama Storytime at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Atlee Branch Library

Bring your favorite snuggly friend and enjoy a special evening Storytime. PJs and slippers are great! Milk & cookies provided by the Friends of the Atlee Library.

Learning Microsoft Word at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Mechanicsville Branch Library

Learn how to format, edit, and save documents in Word. You must call (804) 746-9615 or visit the library to sign up for this class.

Wednesday at the Library (5/15/13)

Programs & Events

Children's Book Week Family Storytime at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Ashland Branch Library
Celebrate the wonder and joy of children’s books new & old with special guest readers.
Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Ashland Library.

Pirate & Princess Party at 7:00 p.m.

Location: Goochland Branch Library

Celebrate Children’s Book Week and dress up as your favorite pirate, prince, or princess. Enjoy fun, crafts and refreshments provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library.

Don't forget to stop by the library today (May 15) to pick up your free children's book and write your story in our storybook!  Happy Children's Book Week!

Tuesday at the Library (5/14/13)

Programs & Events

Computer Basics II at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Cochrane Rockville Branch Library
Learn how to do basic tasks with Microsoft Word and how to surf the web with Internet Explorer.  You must call (804) 749-3146 to sign up for this class.

Children's Book Week PJ Storytime at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cochrane Rockville Branch Library
Celebrate Children’s Book Week at this special evening Storytime. Wear your PJs and bring a plush friend for tall tales and a cool craft.
Bedtime snacks provided by the Friends of the Rockville Library.