Please come join us this Saturday, February 2, at 9:30am for the third of our special Winter Saturdays Family Story Times. Library staff will present a special themed story time including stories, songs, rhymes and a take home craft. This week's theme is Dinosaurs! Older siblings welcome and no registration required.

Lone Survivors by Chris Stringer

From Library Journal: "Prominent paleontologist and anthropologist Stringer eviews recent research from a wide breadth of fields to give readers an up-to-date view of the state of human prehistory. In doing so, he also shows how science works to adapt and update theories as improved techniques bring new facts to light and new evidence is found in the field. Stringer explains many state-of-the-art techniques for studying fossils (e.g., uranium-series dating, electron spin resonance, computerized tomography, DNA sequencing) and combines these findings with current research in the areas of archaeology, evolutionary anthropology, epigenetics, and environmental studies to provide a well-rounded view of how the Homo genus evolved. Stringer, a leading proponent of the recent single-origin hypothesis or "Out of Africa" theory, continues to support that model with some modifications. A broad and current review of the subject makes this an essential book for anyone interested in psychology, sociology, anthropology, human evolution, or the scientific process."

NW by Zadie Smith

From Library Journal: "Partway through this charged onslaught of a novel, Smith's first in the seven years since On Beauty, a young tough refusing to put out a cigarette on a children's playground says, "You can't really chat to me. I'm Hackney, so," referring to the London borough. Although it gets a rise from his challenger, the comment clarifies Smith's story. Geography is destiny, and NW (North West London), with its housing projects and increasingly marginalized community, is the force shaping the narrative. Natalie Blake (nee Keisha) grew up there but has worked hard, tugged at her Afro-Caribbean roots, and become a lawyer; friend Leah, who also got a degree (as a state-school wild card) and is now "the only white girl on [Council's] Fund Distribution Team," doesn't want to move on. They circle warily, and Natalie eventually circles back, even as other characters-ambitious Felix and heartthrob Nathan, now in the gutter-wash through the you-are-there writing. Told in numbered, run-on chapters that occasionally offer an aphorism or poetry, Smith's elliptical prose initially frustrates, then mesmerizes; it's a brilliant, daring way to deliver real lives-and, in the end, an emotional knockout."

The Economics Book ed. by Niall Kishtainy

I love DK (Dorling Kindersley) books, especially for their visuals. Economics doesn't seem like a natural topic for them but give this book a try - you'd be surprised how interesting they can make it! - RD The publisher's description: "From Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, to Adam Smith and John Maynard Keynes, to the top economic thought leaders of today, The Economics Book is the essential reference for students and anyone else with an interest in how economies work. Easy-to-follow graphics, succinct quotations, and thoroughly accessible text throw light on the applications of economics, making them relatable through everyday examples and concerns. Employing DK's trademark visual approach, The Economics Book takes a frequently confusing subject and makes sense of it, clearly highlighting both historically important and emerging ideas in this critical field of science."

The Bluebird Effect: Uncommon Bonds with Common Birds by Julie Zickefoose

From Publishers Weekly: "Mr. Troyer, a bluebird saved from the fatal clutches of a sharp-shinned hawk, goes on to live a life of bigamy. Thus begins bird lover Zickefoose's captivating memoir. In her collection of avian stories-enlivened by her evocative line drawings-Zickefoose, a naturalist, bird painter, and songbird rehabilitator, shares her passion and curiosity for "the zone where birds interact with people... the moment when my gaze meets a bird's-that exchange of awareness of the 'who' in each of us, the spark of understanding leaping from the bright bead of its eye to mine." She takes on the care of four astonishingly tiny hummingbirds, "hatched from eggs no bigger than black-eyed peas," who dominate her life with feedings every 20 minutes. She rails against the extinction of ivory-billed woodpeckers and is transported by "tanagers being tanagers, in all their unfathomable beauty and grace." Birders will appreciate her meticulous observations and devotion to the avian world, but anyone who's ever considered hanging a birdfeeder is likely to be mesmerized by the sensuous, precise prose as well as Zickefoose's vivid portraits of scrawny, fluffy phoebe chicks, a self-possessed hummingbird perched on a clothesline, dwarfed by the surrounding clothespins, and orioles migrating by moonlight. Readers will be astounded by the drama and intelligence fluttering in their backyards."

Author William Kent Krueger coming to Red Wing Public Library

Please join us at the library this Saturday, January 26, at 10am to see William Kent Krueger, author of the wildly successful Cork O'Connor mystery series set in Northern Minnesota. This is an incredible opportunity to hear from one of Minnesota's most famous authors! Sponsors are the Friends of the Red Wing Library and the Friends Book Club. Refreshments will be served.

In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner

From Publishers Weekly: "The struggle for survival is relayed with elegance and humility in Ratner's autobiographical debut novel set in Khmer Rouge-era Cambodia. Raami is seven when civil war erupts, and she and her family are forced to leave Phnom Penh for the countryside. As minor royalty, they're in danger; the Khmer Rouge is systematically cleansing the country of wealthy and educated people. Escaping their Phnom Penh home aboard a rusty military vehicle, a gold necklace is traded for rice, and literacy can mean death; "They say anyone with glasses reads too much... the sign of an intellectual." Amid hunger, the loss of much of her family, and labor camp toil, Raami clings to the beauty that her father has shown her in traditional mythology and his own poetry. Raami's story closely follows that of Ratner's own: a child when the Khmer Rouge took over in 1975, she endured years under their rule until she and her mother escaped to the United States in 1981. This stunning memorial expresses not just the terrors of the Khmer Rouge but also the beauty of what was lost. A hauntingly powerful novel imbued with the richness of old Cambodian lore, the devastation of monumental loss, and the spirit of survival."

Grizzly Bears and Razor Clams: Walking America's Pacific Northwest Trail by Chris Townsend

I'm a bit biased on this one - to me, Glacier National Park is the most beautiful national park in the country, and the Pacific Northwest isn't far behind. I highly recommend visiting either (but maybe not a 1200 mile solo hike...) -Randy. From Library Journal: "The Pacific Northwest Trail is 1200 miles of rugged terrain from Glacier National Park in Montana to the Pacific Ocean. Townsend walked the trail solo in 75 days. The only guidebooks available to him were woefully out of date, and large portions of the trail remain unmarked. This volume covers his preparation for the journey, the route he followed, and the difficulties he faced. The book also includes many color photos of the area's breathtaking natural beauty. The appendixes contain information about how he plotted his trail, a list of his supplies (including brand names), and his evaluation of what worked and what didn't. Townsend makes every word count. Readers interested in the Pacific Northwest and wilderness backpacking will enjoy the combination of nature writing and practical advice."

A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

It's been 23 years, but the 14th and final volume of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series is finally here!And judging by the reviews that are coming in, it was worth the wait. Better reserve your copy soon!

Be Good: How to Navigate the Ethics of Everything by Randy Cohen

From Library Journal: "Cohen was the author for 12 years of the popular Ethicist column for the New York Times Magazine, in which he addressed readers' questions about ethical issues they faced in their daily lives. Here, after a useful introduction in which he explains his methods and procedures, Cohen collects many of these columns, organized into thematic chapters around such topics as family, doctors and nurses, work, love and sex, money, and religion. Each chapter includes a preliminary essay in which Cohen comments on the general ethical questions surrounding that theme. Many of the questions concern issues of honesty, e.g., making a false statement about one's religion to avoid discrimination in a foreign country. Even those who disagree with his answers are likely to recognize that Cohen is an acute and caring writer. Anyone interested in ethical questions - and who is not? - will find this book valuable."

Hot Reads for Cold Nights 2013

It's time for the annual Hot Reads for Cold Nights program, sponsored by the Friends of the Red Wing Public Library. Register for the program and receive a free gift bag! Fill out read and recommend cards and be entered for prize drawings. Come and listen to any of the Hot Reads author programs at the library. If you have any questions, please give us a call.

The Time In Between by Maria Duenas

From Library Journal: "Sira Quiroga begins life as the bastard daughter of a humble seamstress in Madrid, but bad luck, fate, and the crooked path -toward true love all lead her to a life of dizzying glamour, adventure, and high-stakes espionage. When young Sira is abandoned by her lover in Morocco, she is forced to reinvent herself as a sophisticated dressmaker to the expatriate community while the Spanish civil war devastates her homeland. Her work brings her into contact with powerful men, compelling women, and a man she believes to be a journalist and perhaps the love of her life. When the British government asks her to return to Madrid to spy for them as World War II sweeps Europe, she reluctantly agrees, but in doing so becomes a heroine. The first-person perspective makes this long novel seem short, and the rich narrative includes many important figures and incidents from history. Does the story topple into melodrama from time to time? Sure. Does the ending leave you wanting more? Perhaps. Nonetheless, this Spanish import is so romantic, so grand, and so terrifically engrossing that readers will forgive and forget. It is no surprise this debut novel was a runaway success in Europe. American fans of historical fiction looking for a dramatic, uncomplicated escape will be similarly entranced."

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

From Library Journal: "In Stedman's compelling, heartrending debut novel—infused with the symbol of the lighthouse as guidance and shelter—quiet, thoughtful Tom returns home to Australia after World War I and seeks refuge as a lighthouse keeper. Isabelle, a high-spirited young woman who is ruled by emotion, works her way into Tom's heart and joins him at his remote outpost. Although they yearn for a family, after three years and three lost babies, the light in Izzy's eyes has dimmed. Then, inexplicably, a small boat washes ashore, bearing a dead man and a tiny but healthy infant. Is this the answer to Tom and Izzy's fervent prayers? They must quickly choose whether to keep the baby as their own or to report it to the authorities. Years later, in another, faraway lighthouse, the story circles around to a satisfying conclusion. Stedman's engrossing, emotionally driven novel sensitively treats the issue of loss and how we learn to live with its aftermath.

Great book you may have missed: Every Last Cuckoo by Kate Maloy

From Library Journal: "This lovely tale depicts the surprises and changes that come about with aging. Upon the unexpected death of her husband, Sarah finds strength and a capacity for caring that she never thought she would know without him. Amid bittersweet memories of her beloved Charles, Sarah becomes the unlikely den mother to an ever-growing bunch of lost souls. Surprising her wary family and even herself, she discovers a will to go on and share her home and thus her heart again. She likens the way her house fills with boarders to the way in which a cuckoo inserts itself into the nest of another bird and make its home there. Maloy has created a truly engrossing novel, with situations at times both joyful and horribly sad and an entirely likable protagonist surrounded by an eclectic cast of friends and family. An excellent book club selection."