Book Discussion

SUDDEN SEA: The Great Hurricane of 1938 by R.A. Scotti
Tuesday, July 22, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Although it was seventy years ago, some Riverheaders still remember the terrifying Hurricane of 1938 that ravaged Long Island and the entire Northeast coast. Drawing upon newspaper accounts, the testimony of survivors, and archival sources, author R.A. Scotti recounts the personal dramas of families tragically impacted by the storm.

Visit the reference desk to sign up for this book discussion and pick up a copy of the Long Island Hurricane Preparedness Guide from the Red Cross.

Where the Fur Flies

As you enjoy the nice weather, gardening, and preparing for outdoor events, think about the animals whose territory is on the brink of extinction. Our selection of books will help you understand how and why they are losing their "space." Reading just one book will make you aware of how precious our environment is to all living creatures. Compare older books with the new. Do you think things have changed for the better?

Jaguar: Struggle and Triumph in the Jungles of Belize by Alan Rabinowitz.

A fascinating story of how a young scientist from Brooklyn blazes the trails in Central America to study the jaguar.

Going, Going, Gone?:Animals and Plants on the Brink of Extinction and How You Can Help by Malcolm Tait

An easy to read book that includes fish, mammals, feathered species, and even plant life. It gives you a 'fact box' highlighting pertinent information on the subject.

The Salmon: Their Fight for Survival by Anthony Netboy

As the copyright for this book is 1974, it makes for interesting comparisons with newer books. Let us know what you learned!

The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do To Care For The Animals We Love by Jane Goodall & Marc Bekoff

World-renowned behavioral scientists set forth ten trusts that we must honor as custodians of the plant. This book will enrich your perspective regarding how we "love" on this planet.

Local History Book Stop: Adult Summer Reading Club

There's still time for Riverhead cardholders to sign up for Riverhead Reads: Seeking the Past. You may read or listen to any book for a chance to win prizes. Visit us at the reference desk to receive a kit containing raffle tickets. Fill one out and turn it in every time you complete a book. Drawings are held weekly beginning at noon on July 7.

Read a book from our local history reading list and double your chances of winning by filling out two raffle tickets! Here are a few of the books on our preferred reading list.

Dirt Under My Nails: An American Farmer and Her Changing Land by Marilee Foster
An eloquent memoir of a fifth generation Long Island farmer, Ms. Foster's book reflects in microcosm American farming nationwide even as the farm scene changes.

An Island's Trade: Nineteenth-Century Shipbuilding on Long Island by Richard F. Welch
The story of the North Shore Long Island shipyards and of the men who built the ships provides an economic, political, and social glimpse of life before the fast-paced suburban one we know today.

Philistines at the Hedgerow: Passion and Property in the Hamptons by Steven Gaines
Masterfully told by a bestselling author and Hamptons insider, this fascinating story reveals how thirty miles of once inaccessible oceanfront farmland became the playground to the superrich.
Sign up now at the reference desk and start reading!

Listen Up!

Punk rock is an anti-establishment rock music movement that emerged in the late 1970s. Bands like The Ramones in New York City, and The Sex Pistols and The Clash, in London were recognized as being the original punk rock bands.

The Clash brought the punk sound to the U.S. with hits like "London Calling" and "Rock the Casbah."Joe Strummer sang lead vocals and played rhythm guitar for the 10 years The Clash influenced today's alternative music. Redemption Song: the Ballad of Joe Strummer by Chris Salewicz is a biography about the frontman for The Clash, who brought fierce idealism and witty lyrics to the punk era.

After The Clash disbanded, Strummer fronted another band, The Mescaleros. Let's Rock Again is a downloadable video available through Suffolk Wave. This documentary covers the last eighteen months of Strummer's life as he tours with the band.

Another punk rocker who is still touring and recently released a new compact disc is Elvis Costello. Give a listen to The Best of Elvis Costello and The Attractions. It's an awesome compilation available on compact disc at the library.

You might also want to read about Mr.Costello in the biography Complicated Shadows: the Life and Music of Elvis Costello by Graeme Thomson. This biography is an impeccably reseached account of Elvis Costello's journey from playing the pubs in London to New Wave megastardom with The Attractions and beyond.

Born to be Wild

With the Bellmont Stakes quickly approaching, the spotlight's on horse racing. Enjoy the wild rides, the nail-biting finishes, and people who make it all happen...

Funny Cide : How a Trainer, a Jockey, and a Bunch of High School Buddies Took On the Sheiks and Bluebloods... and Won by The Funny Cide Team with Sally Jenkins
Crammed with colorful characters and blue-collar heroes, this is an gripping true account of the racing life with Funny Cide, the three-year-old gelding at the center of it. Owned by ten working-class men, the horse inspires a nation by knocking off the champions and their multimillionaire owners and sweeping to the brink of the Triple Crown.

The Horse God Built: The Untold Story of Secretariat, the World's Greatest Racehorse by Lawrence Scanlan
This facinating tribute takes a journey to a corner of the racing world rarely visited highlighting Eddie "Shorty" Sweat, groom, loyal friend, and protector to Secretariat, winner of the 1973 Triple Crown.

Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hittenbrand
In the sultry summer of 1936, Charles Howard, a former bicycle repairman, bought Seabiscuit at a bargain-basement price and entrusted him to a failed prizefighter and an enigmatic mustang breaker. Against all odds, these three men discovered a dormant talent in the little horse and produced an unlikely champion that captivated the world.