On the Shelf

Header Right Social

FacebookInstagramMeetupOn the Shelf Blog

Header Right Search

Digital Audiobook

The Happy Vegan: A Guide to Living a Long, Healthy, and Successful Life

by Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever considered adopting a plant based diet, this book is for you. Simmons takes readers on a journey that begins with his personal introduction to a vegan lifestyle and travels chapter by chapter through the reasons why others should consider this lifestyle as well. He appeals to all fronts by exploring the health benefits of veganism, the environmental impact, animal suffering, and the subconscious, emotional impacts of veganism. And, he does all of this with a very direct, no nonsense approach. He does not sugar coat the truth out of fear of upsetting the reader. This is particularly true in the section about animal abuse that contains graphic descriptions of the conditions inside concentrated animal feeding operations (also known as factory farms) and rendering plants. Although difficult to read at times, the graphic descriptions serve as a catalyst for action and force the reader to at least acknowledge, if not fully accept, the truth about where their meat comes from.

But, despite this direct approach, Simmons does allow that a plant based lifestyle will look different for everyone. Some may choose to be strict vegans. Some will make exceptions and eat this, but not that. For example, Simmons concedes that he’ll eat something cooked in fish stock, but not beef stock. Simmons encourages readers to find a space on the spectrum that works for them and to do their best at doing the least amount of harm possible. The book ends with tips on beginning a plant based diet, and it includes an appendix that takes readers through the practice of meditation. Highly recommended for adults. Find it in the catalog.

All By Myself, Alone

by Leave a Comment

All By Myself, Alone by Mary Higgins Clark
Format: Digital Audiobook
Who it’s for: Adults

I often do a fair amount of travelling to see family and my favorite thing to do while on a long drive is play a good mystery audiobook. I enjoy the pace of Agatha Christie’s Poirot novels and this book was able to satisfy my need for a pleasant mystery! We follow married couple Alvirah and Willy Meehan who are recently wealthy lottery winners on a luxury cruise. The Meehan’s investigate the mysterious death of a fellow passenger in possession of an emerald necklace that once belonged to Cleopatra. Clark tells the story with a fun ensemble of colorful characters including a Gemologist, Celia Kilbride, and Shakespeare Professor, Ted Cavanaugh. With the death of a passenger, a missing necklace, and a man overboard, this luxury liner turns out to be more excitement than the passengers were expecting!

Find it in the catalog 

Merry and Bright

by Leave a Comment

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

Merry Smith has family obligations to her brother with Down Syndrome, aging parents and her brother’s golden retriever.  She struggles to keep up with her job with a consulting firm at the Boeing Company.  She has no time for a social life but her mother and brother create a profile on an online dating service and she starts to accumulate many matches.  When Merry begins chatting with a stranger online she discovers that they have similar interests.  The chats soon become the best part of her day but she is reluctant to meet her mystery man.  This holiday story will be the perfect way to brighten your spirits.

Find it in the catalog

 

Norse Mythology

by Leave a Comment

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Format: Book or Audiobook
Who it’s for: Adults, teens, and children (parents should read it first – there is violence, drinking, and other mature content)

Neil Gaiman’s works often reference mythologies (see American Gods, Anansi Boys, Sandman, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and really almost anything else he’s written). In Norse Mythology, he turns his interest in mythology toward the Norse gods, but instead of creating a fictionalized world based on them, he retells the stories of Odin, Thor, Loki, and other gods and characters as we know them from the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda. Gaiman uses his witty and engaging prose to tell the story of how the gods received their treasures (including Mjollnir – Thor’s hammer), Thor’s journey to the land of the giants, the death of Balder, and more. In his capable hands, the stories — which span from the creation of everything through Ragnorak, the end of the world — are accessible and engaging, often funny and sometimes sad.

Anyone with even a passing interest in Norse mythology will enjoy this, and it’s even better in audio. Gaiman narrates the audiobook (as he does for so many of his other works) and brings an added passion and wit to the stories (and you get to hear the names pronounced, which is useful if you go back and read the printed book).

Check it out today!

The Paris Secret

by Leave a Comment

The Paris Secret by Karen Swan
Format:  Digital Audiobook
Who it’s for:  Adults

Flora Sykes, an art dealer, is in the middle of a family crisis when she is suddenly called to Paris to help assess the value of some art found in an abandoned apartment.  When she arrives, she discovers that the apartment has not been touched since World War II and is full of paintings including a Renoir.  Flora can’t help but question why the apartment and everything in it were left untouched for so long.  In order for the art to be sold, they must find the provenance.  How did the Vermeil family end up with the art?  All roads lead to the Nazis.  Scandal ensues.

Meanwhile Flora’s brother is in trouble and her family is dealing with its own scandal.  And, Flora is drawn to elusive Xavier Vermeil.

Romance, intrigue, history, art and the fabulous City of Light, Paris.  What more could you want?

Find it on hoopla digital

The Turquoise Table

by Leave a Comment

Life sure can be busy at times…okay, maybe even verging on hectic most days! Where does the time go? And more importantly, how are we spending this time? Do we often feel like we are missing out on something more important while being caught up in the whirlwind of day-to-day activities?

The philosophy of The Turquoise Table reminds us to take the time to slow down, unwind, and focus our energies on making meaningful connections with others in our community. Author, Kristin Schell, decided on a whim to paint a picnic table a bright shade of turquoise, pop it in her front yard, and open the invitation for neighbors to join her at the table. She was pleasantly surprised by the popularity of this gathering space in her neighborhood and was inspired to encourage others to follow suit, hence the creation of a book, a website, and a podcast all by the same name. Across the United States, and even in several other countries, people have begun setting out turquoise tables as a way of better connecting with friends and neighbors.

Actually doing this of course can seem daunting and feel more like one more chore on our to-do list. But the author reassures us that being mindful in the moment and building neighborly relationships is as simple as showing up and making yourself available. The rest of the details sort of just fall into place from here. To put your own Turquoise Table plan into motion, you simply need a place to gather and a time to meet. A turquoise picnic table was the author’s original idea but you can get creative; a picnic blanket or set of chairs would work just as well! And even if its just for fifteen minutes, making yourself available to converse with neighbors and catch up with old friends can be wonderfully heartwarming.

Find it in the catalog.