In the News

You can't go very far today without seeing a news story about runaway corporate greed. So why not dig a little deeper into the headlines and check out all of these great books we have at the Riverhead Free Library.

Abraham L. Gitlow's Corruption in Corporate America delves into the underlying reasons for corporate greed and the scandals that arise. Examining each aspect of what makes up a corporation and what can and has gone wrong, Gitlow gives examples for stopping the criminal exploits of a greedy company.

Enron is the poster child for of today's major corporations falling by the wayside and going out of business. Bethany McLean exposes the company's bankruptcy scandal in The Smartest Guys in the Room : The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron.

Dangerous Business :The Risks of Globalization for America by Pat Choate takes a hard look at the globalization movement and its impact on U.S. government policies. Arguing against the interdependence and increasing greed of multi-national corporations, Choate's book takes aim at at a lot of the current problems the country is facing.

Jeff Benedict investigates a Supreme Court case involving eminent domain, a low-income neighborhood, and the pharmacy giant Pfizer. Little Pink House: A True Story Of Defiance And Courage details the uphill battle against the town of New London, Connecticut, sighting eminent domain as a justification for bulldozing a small section of the town in order to bring in big business from Pfizer.

Where the Fur Flies

Each day we hear of wonderful stories about human-animal relationships. Nothing can prepare us for the impact animals have in our lives. Below are a few of the true and wonderful human-animal stories that will touch your soul.

The Angel By My Side: The True Story of a Dog Who Saved a Man...and a Man Who Saved a Dog by Michael Lingenfelter & David Frei. Anyone who loves to watch the Westminster dog show on TV will recognize the name David Frei, one of the commentators for the show. His book is about a very special Golden Retriever dog with unique, life-saving talents. "Dakota" was named 1999 Service Dog of the Year by the Delta Society.

Amazing Gracie: A Dog's Tale by Dan Dye & Mark Beckloff. "Gracie" is a deaf and partially blind albino Great Dane with a delicate constitution and a penchant for small miracles. This book was nominated as a Young Adult Choice for 2002. "Gracie" also inspired owners Dan & Mark to start the bakery known as 'Three Dog Bakery'.

Wildlife can also teach us so much about life. Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl by Stacey O'Brien. Stacey was a student biologist who worked with owls. "Wesley" came into her life as a four-day-old barn owl. A very educational, captivating, loving story. A must read for all ages.

Enslaved By Ducks: How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order by Bob Tarte. If you ever thought about caring for many animals, this is the book for you! You will find it useful and even have second thoughts about how many animals your really, really need or want. Owners will chuckle at the many situations presented, and pet owners will identify with them.

Beagle at large! Mornings with Barney: The True Story of an Extraordinary Beagle by Dick Wolfsie. I enjoyed this immensely! It was comical and so true for anyone who has ever owned a hound. This little beagle brought so much joy, happiness, and fun to a small town in Indiana.

Book Discussion

The Lace Reader
by Brunonia Barry

Wednesday, March 11, 2009
7 p.m.
&
Saturday, March 14, 2009
2 p.m.

Please join us to discuss this fascinating story, steeped in mystery and the paranormal, and narrated by the main character, who is mentally ill. The misty place between fact and fiction will be explored in Barry's first original adult novel, set in Salem, Massachusetts, where lobstermen, witches, and tourists all add to the mix for a rich and rewarding read.

Listen Up!

The winners are in for the 51st Grammy Awards. Have you ever asked yourself, what is the difference between song of the year, record of the year, and album of the year?

1. Song of the year goes to the composer(s) of the song.

2. Record of the year is awarded for a single or for one track from an album. The award goes to the performing artist, the producer, recording engineer, and mixer for that song.

3. Album of the year is awarded for an entire album. The award is presented to the artist, producer, record engineer, and mastering engineer for that album.

The nominees for song of the year:

1. "American Boy" by Estelle on her compact disc Shine.

2. "Chasing Pavements" by Adele Adkins on her compact disc 19.

3. "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz on his compact disc We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.

4. "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles on her compact disc Little Voice.

5. "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay on their disc Viva La Vida or, Death and All His Friends.

***The winner for song of the year is "Viva La Vida"

The nominess for record of the year:

1. "Chasing Pavements" by Adele Adkins on her compact disc 19.

2. "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay on their disc Viva La Vida or, Death and All His Friends.

3. "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis on her disc Spirit.

4. "Paper Planes" by M.I.A. a track off of Slumdog Millionare: Music From the Motion Picture.

5. "Please Read The Letter" by Robert Plant and Alison Kraus on Raising Sand.

***The winner for record of the year is "Please Read The Letter".

The nominees for album of the year:

1. Viva La Vida or, Death and All His Friends -- Coldplay

2. Tha Carter III -- Lil Wayne

3. Year of the Gentleman -- Ne-Yo

4. Raising Sand -- Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

5. In Rainbows -- Radiohead

***The winner for album of the year is Raisng Sand.

Mr. Hollywood Speaks

Spring is almost here, so why not get some spring back in your step and take advantage of all of the great exercise DVD's we have here at Riverhead Free Library!

Bellydancing has been gaining quite a following lately for exercise enthusiasts, so if you're looking to break into it have a look at Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down. Instructors Veena and Neena Bisdasha will teach you the rhythm, movements, and benefits of bellydancing fitness.

While you are in the dancing mood, you might also be interested in Dance Fitness for Beginners: Urban Street Heat featuring dance instructor MaDonna Grimes.

If you are feeling flexible you can always give pilates a try. For those that are new to the routine, there is Pilates for Beginners. This DVD includes pre-Pilates fundamentals, a selection of three workout levels, and each routine comes with modifications for beginners. Once you've mastered the beginner's workout its time to move on to Pilates Complete for Weight Loss. Featuring a wide selection of workouts and instruction by Karen Garcia, this DVD will be perfect for those who are looking for an intense pilates session.

As this next title implies, Chubby Hubby Workout: Building a Better Husband targets older men that may have gotten a little lazy over the years. Combining stretching, aerobics, resistance, core training, and flexibility exercises, this DVD is meant to ease you back into a steady exercise routine. Be sure to keep an eye out for all of these workout programs and much more in our DVD section.

The Green Spot

Visit our new permanent display providing library users with free information about local "green" activities, including land and water preservation, organic farming and gardening, hiking, wildlife conservation, environmental advocacy, and energy awareness.

In support of our adult winter reading club, Riverhead Reads: The Green Spot, this display also features environmental literature and related books. Here's a sampling of some of the books available.

New York Times bestselling author Mark Kurlansky is a hit with Riverhead readers. His captivating book Cod spans thousands of years and four continents, introducing explorers, merchants, writers, chefs and, of course, the fishermen, and chronicling the cod wars of the sixteenth and twentieth centuries. The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell, also by Kurlansky, recounts the dramatic incidents surrounding the oyster that changed the course of New York history.

For those less fish-friendly, The Ferocious Summer: Adelie Penguins and the Warming of Antarctica by Meredith Hooper is a timely book that provides an absorbing and alarming report from the frontlines of global warming. Hooper's firsthand account evolves from a summer of living and working with scientists studying this phenomena.

The Greatest Gift: The Courageous Life and Martyrdom of Sister Dorothy Strang by Binka Le Breton is a revealing new biography about an extraordinary woman and her mission to protect the Amazon jungles and the people eking out a life there. Featured on newsmagazine shows, Sister Dorothy's story provides lessons for a powerful and beautiful life that was cut short abruptly.

Check out these and other environmental books on The Green Spot display and on the standing display nearest the circulation desk.

Blue Ribbon Book Stop

In honor of Black History Month this February 2009, the Library is featuring two displays. Visit the standing display nearest the Reference Desk to see a wide selection of African American biographys. Awardwinning author, Louis R. Harlan's praiseworthy biography Booker T. Washington: The Wizard of Tuskegee, 1901-1915 examines the final fifteen years of this controversial leader's life.

For a look at a legendary black woman, Harriet Tubman: Myth, Memory, and History by distinguished historian Milton C. Sernett, peels back the layers to help reveal the real Harriet Tubman, and studies how she has been portrayed in film, painting, music, theater, and books.

For those wanting quick reads about various African Americans in history, check out Black Abolitionists by Karen Coddon and The Great Black Jockeys: The Lives and Times of the Men Who Dominated America's First National Sport by Edward Hotaling. Whatever your area of interest, a librarian can help you get started by recommending specific books.

To get more ideas, visit the display behind the Public Information Desk and read the notes and photos on famous and inspirational African Americans.