July Book Club

We're going to non-fiction for the month of July and it's a real adventure story in tracing the travels of one Percy Fawcett, a British explorer who was determined to discover the lost city of El Dorado in the dense Amazon jungle of Brazil. The only problem is that Fawcett and his small band of explorers disappered and were never heard from, nor found, again. The Lost City of Z is author David Grann's attempt to solve "the greatest exploration mystery of the 20th century" and he tells a fascinating tale of just what it takes to explore the Amazon and the jungle's "green hell." The book club will meet on Wednesday, July 21st at 6:30pm (one week later than usual!) Please join us if you can.

December Book Club

Folks, the pressure was mighty to read a light-hearted "holiday" type of book. Well, it looks like we've got one in the form of "The Christmas Sweater" by author Glenn Beck. Yup, the same author (and TV commentator) of such heartwarming titles as "Arguing with Idiots" and "America's March to Socialism." Apparently, Mr.Beck has a soft spot for Christmas parables and so we're in for some serious holiday sentiment at our December book club meeting. According to the publisher, this is a book "Based on a deeply personal true story, "The Christmas Sweater" is a warm and poignant tale of family, faith and forgiveness that offers us a glimpse of our own lives -- while also making us question if we really know what's most important in them." Just don't ask me to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" because that, undoubtedly, would put this librarian over the edge of holiday sanity. Come join us at the next meeting on Wednesday the 16th of December at 6:30pm, as always.

Book Club Information: July & August

OK, first things first ... there will be NO book club meeting in July due to vacations, traditions, whatever you choose to call it, but hopefully everyone will encounter some alternative summer fun in place of our regular meeting time.

Now then, we will gather again the second Wednesday of August when we get together to read "Charming Billy" by Alice McDermott. This novel won the National Book Award for fiction in 1998 and here's a rather enticing excerpt of a review from salon.com to get you interested: "... McDermott's "Charming Billy," circles repeatedly and tantalizingly around the ghostly form of Billy Lynch, the late sentimentalist, chatty raconteur, writer of sweet letters and drunk extraordinaire whose wake is the occasion for a chorus of reminiscing relatives and friends. Set in New York City's outer boroughs and Long Island from the '40s through the '80s, the novel is an exquisite portrayal of dream and delusion, the limits of community and, most pointedly, the cruel narcissism behind the alcoholic's grin."

Again, take July off, go dip your toes in a cool body of water or sip your favorite summertime beverage as we will not be getting together for the book club next month. When August 12th rolls around, I want to see you there ready to talk about what promises to be a "charming" novel. Sorry for the egregious pun. See you then.

March Book Club Selection

In March we will visit a well-known title of American literature. Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was published in 1943 and has steadily remained placed in the list of well regarded American fiction of the 20th Century. The New York Public Library has named it as one of the "books of the century" and it likely has a place on other lists of notable American titles. Join us on Wednesday the 18th of March as we get together for our next meeting. Hope to see you there!

Nick Barone Puppet Show

Come with the kids and check out "Holiday Treats" with acclaimed puppeteer Nick Barone. Mr. Barone will put on a wonderful holiday show filled with humor, music and beautifully-crafted puppets. Fun for the whole family! The program will run from 6:30pm until about 7:15 on Wednesday the 10th of December in the community room.

This program was made possible by generous support from the Friends of the West Valley Branch Library

Silicon Valley Reads 2008

West Valley branch library has a history of hosting great author events for Silicon Valley Reads and this year is no different. Join us on Thursday, February 21st at 6:30pm as we welcome local author Bo Caldwell whose book "The Distant Land of My Father" has been chosen for this year's community read. We'll be hosting an author reading and a Q&A session with Ms. Caldwell along with a tea reception. Tea reception? Well, we'll have some good hot Chinese teas on hand in any case for everyone to warm-up with. Get your copy now of "The Distant Land of My Father" to give yourself some time to read it before the event. We hope to see you there. And for more information about Silicon Valley Reads, just click on the highlighted text!

Fall is here, and so are the programs!

Fall is here! We have lots of great events going on here at West Valley this month. Check the calendar for our complete listing of upcoming programs, or be sure to take a monthly calendar the next time you visit! Here are some highlights for these coming weeks:

West Valley's 3rd Annual Bookmark Contest for Children
Oct. 1-31, all month long
In honor of Children's Book Week, help the library encourage everyone to spend time each day with a favorite book by designing an original bookmark promoting books and reading. Children in grades K through 8 are invited to submit their entries to the West Valley Library by October 31st, 2007. One winner will be chosen for each grade level. Winning bookmarks will be printed and distributed at the library during Children's Book Week (Nov. 12 -18th) Everyone is welcome to attend our special presentation program that honors our winners on Tuesday, November 13th at 6:30pm.

Parenting Through Nature
October 13, Saturday, 2pm
Storyteller Wendolyn Bird will lead a workshop for parents about using nature to inspire and educate kids.

Glue and Go Costumes for Kids
October 16, Tuesday, 7pm
Holly Cleeland, author of Glue and Go Costumes for Kids, will demonstrate how to make great costumes out of household materials! Holly Cleeland has made television appearances, including HGTV and the Rachael Ray show.

teensReach Meeting & Teen Read Week Celebration
October 18, Thursday, 4pm
teensReach is our advisory and volunteer group for teens ages 13-18. We meet every 3rd Thursday of the month. Earn volunteer hours, share your ideas, make a difference in your community, and have fun! Please join us at the next meeting! We will also be celebrating national Teen Read Week with food, fun activities, and Nintendo Wii!

Get Crafty!: Teen Craft Activity
Thursday, October 25, 4pm
Teens and tweens, join us for a fun craft activity! We will be making cool crafts to celebrate Halloween and Día de Los Muertos. Decorate a skull or make tissue paper flowers! For ages 10-18.

Game On! Gaming Party for Teens
Friday, October 26, 3:30pm
Teens, join us for our monthly gaming party! Show us your Nintendo Wii skills on a huge projected screen. Enjoy some snacks and try out some fun new multi-player video games or board games. For ages 12-18

TeensReach Meeting

TeensReach Meeting
Thursday, September 20, 4pm

Hey Teens! West Valley invites YOU to join our TeensReach group!

What is it? TeensReach is the library's teen advisory and volunteer group that meets once a month to share ideas, plan activities, and discuss upcoming volunteer opportunities. It's a great way to get involved in your community! Join us for some snacks and let us know what YOU think! For ages 13-18.

Willow Glen Children's Theatre Workshop

Willow Glen Children's Theatre: Improvisational Workshop
Saturday, September 15 1-3pm

We are pleased to present an improvisational workshop led by Willow Glen Children's Theatre. In this workshop for children ages 7 and up, participants will have fun learning improvisational skills and inventing scenes. Join us in the community room for this fun (and free!) program!

"It's Easy Being Green"

"It's Easy Being Green": A Guide to Energy Efficiency and Alternatives
Thursday, August 30, 9 AM - 11:30 AM
West Valley Library Community Room.

We are pleased to welcome Congressman Mike Honda to the West Valley Library. Exchange ideas and information with multiple green organizations on how to live a low-carbon lifestyle. An expert panel will provide perspectives of researchers, scientists, students, architects, environmentalists, and hi-tech companies in the Silicon Valley on the topic of green living. We hope to see you there!


Check here for more information about Congressman Mike Honda and his local forums on green living.