Happy Birthday iPod

On October 23, 2001, the Apple company introduced its new, portable MP3 music player, the iPod, to the press. The iPod officially went on sale on November 10, 2001 for $399. No one grasped the importance of the device to Apple and the music industry in general until much later. Many reacted to the product with hostility and criticism. However, despite complaints about the high price, the iPod became incredibly popular and is now widely owned by people of all ages. Some even have two or more!

The iPod continued to evolve through multiple generations that included the introduction of:

• iTunes Music Stores in 2003


• iPod mini in 2004


• A marketing agreement with HP in 2004 which led to a substantial drop in the price for iPods


• An iPod with the capacity for color photos


• Introduction of the iPod Shuffle and the iPod Nano in 2005


• A 5th generation iPod, capable of playing videos was introduced in 2005 making the iPod function more like PDAs with calendars and address books rather than just a music player.
  

In January 2007 Apple introduced the iPhone that was unlike any smartphone on the market. Not only was it a wireless phone but it also had the functionality of a video iPod with a touchscreen to access applications.

Apple has continued to upgrade these products and now also markets the iPod Touch, the iPod Classic, the iPod Nano, and the iPod Shuffle. In 2008 Apple introduced the 3rd generation iPhone and the iPhone App Store that enables iPhone users to download free and commercial programs.

Before the iPod, MP3 players were being produced by small companies with limited budgets that could not provide content. After the iPod, the entire industry evolved and has grown to the point where the largest computer companies in the world have major interests in the digital music industry.

For help with these products, here are some titles you can find at the Valley Cottage Library:

• iPhone Book: How to do the most important, useful & fun stuff by Scott Kelby. 621.384/Kel


• iPod and iTunes for Dummies by Tony Bove. New Nonfiction/006.5/Bov


• Taking your iPod Touch to the Max by Erica Sadun. New Nonfiction/006.5/Sad


• iPod Repair: Quicksteps by Brandon Jones. New Nonfiction/621.389/Jon


• iPod: The missing manual by David Pogue. 004.165/Pog

Tick, tick, tick...60 Minutes

60 Minutes is celebrating another anniversary this Fall when it begins its 43rd season. 60 Minutes made its debut on September 25, 1968 and is TV's longest running prime time program. It was the first news magazine to offer in-depth investigative reports, interviews, feature segments, and profiles of people in the news. It has won more Emmy Awards than any other primetime broadcast including a special Lifetime Achievement Emmy. It has also won virtually every other broadcast journalism award including a total of 16 Peabody awards for excellence in television braodcasting.


60 Minutes was created by Don Hewitt, who recently died, and was originally hosted by Mike Wallace and Harry Reasoner. The correspondents have changed over the years; the current group includes Anderson Cooper, Katie Couric, Steve Kroft, Lara Logan, Scott Pelley, Byron Pitts, Morley Safer, Bob Simon, Lesley Stahl and Andy Rooney, the broadcast's commentator, with his regular segment, "A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney."


Many of the 60 Minutes' correspondents, past and present, have written about their experiences in journalism. You can find these titles at Valley Cottage Library:

• Tell Me a Story: Fifty Years and 60 Minutes in Television by Don Hewitt. 791.45092/Hew
  
• Reporting Life by Lesley Stahl. B/Stahl
  
• Forty Days by Bob Simon. B/Simon
  
• Flashbacks: On returning to Vietnam by Morley Safer. 959.70438/Safer
  
• Between You and Me: A Memoir by Mike Wallace. B/Wallace
  
• My War by Andy Rooney. 940.54/Roo

Summer Reading Club Reviews

We have a winner!

Ellyse Berg is the winner of our final drawing for 2 free passes to the movies. Her review of Shanghai Girls by Lisa See was the selected review.

Thank you to all who participated in our Summer Reading Club. We hope you will join us at the Book Talk Cafe on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7pm for wraps and refreshments as we wrap up the summer with our Grand Prize drawing of a gift certificate to Sidewalk Bistro in Piermont. The cafe is a great place to socialize and talk about books. And no one leaves empty handed! We have created a list of all the books that were rated 3 stars and up, to give out. Plus, there will be more prizes and give-aways.
Please register at the Circulation Desk.

Here are some recent reviews:

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Fiction
5 Stars
Another well written book by See. This one is about two sisters who grew up in a privileged Shanghai lifestyle but leave during wartime in disgrace to begin new lives in Los Angeles as part of a “paper” family.
-Ellyse Berg

The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian
Fiction
5 Stars
A touching story of an older couple. She with terminal cancer, he with Alzheimer’s, who go on a cross country trip in their RV and reclaim their lives in the process.
-Ellyse Berg


The Rapture by Liz Jensen
Fiction
5+ Stars
Really excellent book about the end of the world as we know it – throw in abuse and murder and dealing with personal tragedy. Well written - sometimes a bit scientific.
-Anonymous

Couples by John Updike
Fiction
4 Stars
Updike writes about ten couples in the late 1950s and early 1960s when mores are changing. They party, drink too much and swap partners. Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of everyone but I always love his characters.
-Liz Sayles

Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
Fiction
4 ½ stars
A police adventure that takes place in the constricting atmosphere of 1930’s USSR where someone is always looking over your shoulder and the threat of life in the Gulag is never far off. It was enjoyable and the sequel, The State Secret, has now been published.
-Ellyse Berg

Bury Me Deep by Megan Abbott
Fiction
4 Stars
Depression era murder/mystery based story about a young wife left on her own who falls into the wrong company of friends.
-Anonymous

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo
Fiction
4 Stars
A quick reading crime novel with a twist – the police chief is a female, formerly of the Amish community she is protecting. A serial murderer, political pressure, a couple of outcasts, alcohol abuse and lore in one tidy story.
-Ellyse Berg

South of Broad by Pat Conroy
Fiction
4 Stars
Another totally Southern flavored novel typical of Pat Conroy. This story follows the lives of several isolated, lonely, rejected teenagers (from schoolmates, parents, society at large) as they become a tightly knit, loyal, cohesive group well into their adult years.
-Ellyse Berg

Adult Summer Reading Club News

Summer is growing old now, the days are growing darker, but we're still going full-force here at the Valley Cottage Library with our Adult Summer Reading Club. We chose another winner today. This week's winner is Alice Kintisch who won for her review of The Family Man by Elinor Lipman.

The Family Man by Elinor Lipman
Fiction
Rating: 3 stars
A very funny book. Dialog at times is hilarious. Great for summer beach reading. No heavy stuff. But her earlier Then She Found Me is even funnier.
- Alice Kintisch

______________________________________________________

and here's some reviews from other club members:

Shannon by Frank Delaney
Fiction
3 Stars
The search for the restoration of the mental health of American, Robert Shannon, takes him to Ireland to follow the River Shannon. This WWI vet, suffering from PTSD, walks through many towns and a bit of Irish history and in the end finds health and love.
-Ellyse Berg

The Sum of Our Days by Isabel Allende
Fiction
3 ½ Stars
I enjoyed reading her novels more than this memoir. Perhaps it is life’s tragedies that cause her to put her finger in so many spiritual pots. She did find peace so it obviously wasn’t too many for her. Allende may be short in stature (as she says several times) but she is definitely the powerhouse in her family.
-Ellyse Berg

Saffron Dreams by Shaila Abdullah
Fiction
3 stars
Life changes for Arissa, a scarf wearing Muslim woman who becomes a widow on Sept. 11, 2001. Her growth toward independence is slow but steady and we follow her until she achieves that state.
-Ellyse Berg

The Other by David Guterson
Fiction
4 stars
A chance meeting between two high school boys at a track meet leads to an unusual lifelong friendship that tests their love and loyalty to each other. A good book – until the events of the final two pages.
-Ellyse Berg

Home Repair by Liz Rosenberg
Fiction
4 stars
Wee written and interesting book about a middle aged women finding herself and love after widowhood and divorce.
--Anonymous

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
Nonfiction
3 Stars
The reader travels through England, Scotland and Wales with the author. The writer is filled with humor and captures the personalities of the people he meets. He is quite funny and often I chuckled as I read.
-Ruth Ellen Carlsen

The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed
Nonfiction
5 Stars
An in depth study of Thomas Jefferson and his life with his children from his deceased wife, his life with Sally Hemings and his children with her and his relationship with her extended family. The reader gets a sense of what is expected and accepted in Jefferson’s social strata, both in the new US and in France when he was there representing the US.
-Ellyse Berg

Chasing Cezanne by Peter Mayle
Fiction
3 Stars

An easy to read book about a photographer’s adventure when he stumbles upon the world of art forgery. It keeps him busy with travels to Paris but leaves him enough time to fall in love.
-Ellyse Berg

The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon

Fiction

4 Stars
“Autistic is different, not bad. It is not wrong to be different.” This is the reaction of an autistic employee of a company when offered surgery to remove the characteristics that make him autistic. Each of the autistic employees has to make this decision and they do so with varied reactions. In a future society where criminals get brain chips to stop their anti-social behavior, this is another step toward the “normalization” of society.
-Ellyse Berg

Lost Boy by Brent Jeffs
Nonfiction
3 Stars
The story of Brent Jeffs, nephew of FDLS prophet Warren Jeffs. Brent describes growing up in the compound, what is expected from members, what they learn to expect from the outside world and how his life changed when he found himself on the outside.
-Ellyse Berg

Woodstock - 40 years ago!

It doesn't seem possible that the Woodstock Festival took place 40 years ago! This seminal music event was held on August 15, 16, and 17, 1969 and that's 40 years. Where were you 40 years ago and were you listening?

The Woodstock Art and Music Fair was moved from it's original, planned location in Wallkill, NY after protests from the local residents. The new location was 40 miles away in Bethel, NY at a 600 acre dairy farm owned by Max Yasgur.

Spectators began arriving a week before the event to make sure that they had a good location in order to see the dozens of stars scheduled to appear. The line up included the Who; Jimi Hendrix; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; John Sebastian; Jefferson Airplane; Grateful Dead; Santana; Joe Crocker; the Band; Blood, Sweat, and Tears; Janis Joplin; Ravi Shankar; Sha Na Na; Joan Baez; Arlo Guthrie; Richie Havens; Credence Clearwater Revival; and many more.

Estimates vary but it is generally reported that at least 300,000 spectators were present at one time sharing 600 portable toilets. Some say as many as 4-500,000. In any case, this was an unprecedented and unexpected number that no one was prepared for. Highways were clogged and the world press covered this unforgettable weekend of rock 'n roll. And don't forget it rained!

For American youth, Woodstock became a symbol of not only sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll but it was also about peace, love, and a new way of living. It symbolized the shifting of the core values of an entire generation and was also the culminating event of a decade of radical cultural transformation. A film and live albums ensured the rock festival's immortality. Few can deny that Woodstock was a milestone in music history that changed the attitude toward popular music.

This milestone anniversary has brought out new books with new perspectives on the festival's impact on music and popular culture. Look for these titles at the Valley Cottage Library:

• Woodstock: Three days that rocked the world. Edited by Mike Evans. New Adult non-fiction/781.66/Woo
• Back to the Garden: The story of Woodstock by Pete Fornatale. New Adult non-fiction/781.66/For
• Road to Woodstock by Michael Lang. New Adult non-fiction/781.66/Lan
• Woodstock: Three days of peace and music, twenty-firth anniversary collection. CD /POP W/nos. 1303, 1304,1305, 1306
• Woodstock: 3 days of peace and music. DVD produced by Bob Maurice. New/Instructional DVD/781.66/Woo

The site of the Woodstock Festival is now part of the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. The Center is a 15,000 seat outdoor performing arts center and museum with a full performance schedule. The Museum at Bethel Woods explores the unique experience of the Woodstock Festival and the legacy of the sixties. There is also exhibit space and other facilties. For more information see: http://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/.

Mid-Summer Reading Club Winner

This time out, our winner from all of our entries for the Adult Summer Reading Club was Kristen Talusan. Kristen won for her review of Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich.

Here's Kristen's Review:

"An extremely funny book!" I laughed out loud at many parts. I really enjoyed it".
_____________________________________

and here's what some of our other members have been reviewing :

Manhunt: The 12-Day Hunt for Lincoln’s Killer by James Swanson
Nonfiction
Rating: 4 stars
“Very exciting, interesting book. We know who Lincoln’s killer was, but I would guess no one knows why, how, he was killed or anything else about John Wilkes Booth. I feel like Swanson taught me a very important history lesson.”
-Alice Kintisch
(FYI : The library will be hosting a discussion of Manhunt of Monday evening August 17th at 7pm. Call now to register!)

Christine Falls by Benjamin Black
Fiction
Rating: 3½
“Extended families, secrets, lies, and power. Coupled with mystery and suspense. Benjamin Black will grab you from beginning to end with one unexpected turn of events after another.”
-Jenny Figaro

Cyber Crime Fighters by Felicia Donovan and Kristyn Bernier
Nonfiction
Rating: 5 stars
“Excellent readable account of the ethical and legal issues of all aspects of computer based crime. I photocopied some of the information as this book is chockfull of practical advice and contacts.”
-Anonymous

Swimsuit by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Fiction
Rating: 3 stars
“3 stars because I like Patterson, however I have read all his thrillers. This was not one of my favorites. It had a lot of intense moments a couple of times I had to put the book down. I wanted to turn the page but then I did not. A real psychopath very much a thriller.”
-Anonymous

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
“Absolutely wonderful! Carlos Ruiz Zafon is a masterful storyteller. He draws you in with mystery and creates characters so real, you will think you know them. A story within a story, keeps you wanting more.”
-Jenny Figaro

Obedience by Will Lavender
Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
“We all have a sort of neighborly compassion, wanting to go out on a limb for someone we hardly know in order to help them. How far would you go? The protagonist goes out of her way to help a perfect stranger and in the end, what she learns will change her life forever. This book will captivate you with its unexpected twists and turns. Will Lavender redefines surprise ending.”
-Jenny Figaro

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
“Midsummer Night’s Dream meets African folk tales in this reinterpretation of the trickster stories. Anansi the spider is a man with two sons and the story involves the intertwining of the boys lives. Initially from Florida, one has made his life in London, and the other has appeared and begins to unravel it. All types of characters, animals, gods and dreams are unearthed. Lots of fun.
-Liz Sayles

Stone Cold by David Baldacci
Fiction
Rating: 3 stars
“Excellent conspiracy, vengeance action thriller with references to the Cold War and the Vietnam Conflict. This book brings together a group of people of various backgrounds and skills who work together to see a friend through tricky situations. Some of the characters they work against are so dastardly that I really didn’t care about them – only thing that kept my rating down.”
-Melvin Roy

A Plague of Secrets by John Lescroart
Fiction
Rating: 4.5 stars
“This is one of John Lescroart’s best novels. It was hard to put down and the end was wonderful. I didn’t guess who the real killer was. It was a surprise ending. Dismas Hardy is a great character!”
-Eugene W. Homicki

The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
Fiction
Rating: 5 +++
“Really excellent read. I couldn’t put it down. In the near future people are only needed if they
have offspring – those who are dispensable go to The BANK.”
-Anonymous

Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup
Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
“Excellent read. Almost as good as the movie but slightly different. I will not give away the
difference.”
-Anonymous

A Painted House by John Grisham
Fiction
Rating: 1 star
“I loved this story of the struggling farmers in Arkansas. The story is told through the eyes of a seven year old boy who lives with his grandparents for parents on a cotton farm. They hire Mexican ‘hill people’ to help pick cotton in the summer and multiple conflicts, loves, and acts of great generosity occur. This is a very hard life.”
-Anonymous

The Song of Kahunsha by Anosh Irani
Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
“Well written but very sad. It is difficult to comprehend how hard children’s lives are in other countries… the orphan’s story is always sad in literature, but you have to read about the lives of these children to be reminded of all we have.”
-Anonymous

A reading synchronicity

I don't often place books on hold; my reading tastes are too fluid and my life too unpredictable. So it was unexpected for two books I had placed on hold ages ago to arrive on my desk at the same time. One The Accidental Billionaires : The Founding of Facebook - a tale of sex, money, genius and betrayal, I had placed on hold months ago after reading a prepublication review. The other, Outliers : the story of success, I placed on hold after hosting a book discussion here at the library on Blink : the power of thinking without thinking by the same author, Malcolm Gladwell.

More serendipity was at play as both titles arrived just prior to a week's vacation. So there I was - sequestered with these two books. No other book would have the opportunity to tempt me as is often the case when you work in a library. I started Outliers first because I knew Gladwell would prove to be an engaging author. Outliers tells the story of what makes people successful -- but not just ordinary success -- but off-the-charts successful. With eye-opening examples proving his every point, Gladwell asserts that being an outlier is simply a matter of luck, timing, and practice. You just can't go wrong with Gladwell - his books are full of interesting trivia. Make sure you're not alone as you read his books though because they're full of anecdotes you'll feel compelled to share.

The synchronity of my reading lies in that the next book I read. The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich is essentially the story of college kids who are outliers themselves. Why did Harvard students Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin succeed with their website Facebook when it was the era when social networking sites were exploding exponentially. What made their website the one that rose to the top? The answer is essentially the same things that Gladwell points to - luck timing and success. The book's author, Ben Mezrich, seems to be making a brand out of his insider's Ivy League stories. His earlier work, Bringing Down the House: the inside story of six M.I.T. students who took Vegas for millions, was made into the movie 21 in 2008. While sometimes Mezrich's sources are a bit weak, his pacing and storytelling are full of wide-eyed momentum.