Printemps à Paris

We've recently added some new books to the collection about one of the world's most fascinating cities. If you don't see them on the "New Books" shelf and want to track any of them down, ask one of the library staff for help.

Parisians: An Adventure History of Paris by Graham Robb reveals the city through portraits of some of its most amazing denizens.






And The Show Went On: Cultural Life in Nazi-Occupied Paris by Alan Riding shines the light on Parisian life under the Nazis.









No Regrets: The Life of Edith Piaf by Carolyn Burke provides a definitive biography of one of the world's finest vocalists and the subject of the academy award winning "La Vie En Rose". She played a role in the French Resistance during WWII, and when she died in 1963, tens of thousands of mourners emptied into the streets and brought Parisian traffic to a halt.









Women of the Left Bank, Paris, 1900 - 1940 by Shari Benstock provides a literary history of a special place and time through the lives of the creative women, many expatriate Americans, living in Paris in the early twentieth century.








The Discovery of France: A Historical Geography from the Revolution to the First World War by Graham Robb takes you into the rural landscape of a developing country, where there was little in common with the City of Light.

The Musicians Behind the Music

Check out some of the recently added titles to the music section (781. . . .) of the library. Ask the staff to point you in the right direction. Over the last few months we've added biographies about Etta James, the Carter Family, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Lester Young, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Jelly Roll Morton, Neil Young, Robert Johnson, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, and Johnny Cash.

Nooks and crannies of the library collection #1

Climate change, global economic meltdown, corrupt politicians, wars. . .If the news about contemporary civilization has you down, how about investigating some highly evolved civilizations of the past?

The UCC Library has recently added some new titles about old places and peoples. Did you know that the Irish neolithic tomb, Newgrange, is older than the Great Pyramid of Giza? It was originally built around 3,000 B.C. As the sun rises on the winter solstice, a beam of sunlight pierces the dark passageway of Newgrange and lights up the inner chamber. Although currently residing in our "New Books" section, these two books will soon move to 936.15 in the back of the library.


Around a thousand years later the mysterious Stonehenge was completed. Who built it and at what effort? Archaeologist Anthony Johnson reexamines 250 years of fieldwork and speculation of this prehistoric site, explains the geometry, and lays out the rationale for this monumental landmark in his book "Solving Stonehenge".

"Stonehenge Complete" is a third edition of a classic. Even though 20,000 visitors gather at midsummer dawn, as this new edition explains, "they are in error: although Stonehenge is indeed astronomically oriented, it is not aligned on the midsummer sunrise at all." Our Stonehenge books hang out near Newgrange. Look for them in the stacks at 936.2.



Finally, take a look nearby (932 W) at "Genesis of the Pharaohs: Dramatic New Discoveries Rewrite the Origins of Ancient Egypt". Archaeologist Toby Wilkinson argues that ancient Egyptians were semi-nomadic herders and not settled farmers. The book has dozens of illustrations, including 25 in color.

Personal Finances, the New Year, and You

Are you one of the many who's New Year's resolution involves keeping better track of your finances? If so, or if you just like money in general, you might find these links from Library Journal of the best personal finance education and assistance websites and books useful!

Thrift for Tough Times: personal finances (LJ Jan. 2009)

Earth Day/Energy Fair -- Read a Book!

Earth Day is April 22 and it's a good time to think about energy use. Why not use some of your energy to read about the present and future of energy? All of these books are in the UCC library; the titles below are linked to the library catalog for your browsing pleasure.


Fueling Our Future : an Introduction to Sustainable Energy by Robert Evans.







Gaiam Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook: Your Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living by John Schaeffer.






The Renewable Energy Handbook : a Guide to Rural Independence, Off-Grid and Sustainable Living by William H. Kemp





Saving Energy, Growing Jobs : How Environmental Protection Promotes Economic Growth, Profitability, Innovation, and Competition by David B. Goldstein






Lives Per Gallon : The True Cost of Our Oil Addiction by Terry Tamminen



Locally, we have the EARTH DAY AND ENERGY FAIR — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Saturday, April 19th, Douglas County Fairgrounds. Crafts, wildlife, storytelling, a used-clothing fashion show, a student poetry contest, prizes, giveaways, demonstrations, activities, entertainment, hands-on exhibits and food are all part of the annual Douglas County Earth Day and Energy Fair. Prizes for anyone who comes on foot or bicycle. Free admission. 440-4350.

New Books for Beating Break Boredom!

We know. You just finished all that cramming for finals and the rush of turning those textbooks back into the bookstore hasn't even worn off yet. The last thing you want is more obligations.

But hey, wait a minute! Even if that camping trip to the coast pans out, it's looking pretty wet outside. You might just want to check out a few of the UCC Library's New Books--

See the full list here, or scroll down for some staff recommendations!

Katie's Picks:
How to talk about books you haven't read
NEW 027 B Bayard, Pierre.

Because we've all had that awkward moment at the table with family where we realize our conversation choices are down to books or politics, and the latter is a really bad idea.

In defense of food : an eater's manifesto
NEW 641.3 P Pollan, Michael.

Pollan's simple guide to eating well is just as interesting as the meals described in his earlier title, The Omnivore's Dilemma. One of the modified rules ("Don't eat anything your grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.") makes me wonder-- Starbucks' coffee drinks: yes or no?!

These are just a few of the great new items at the Library this week, and all books and CDs check out for three weeks, so come grab something to keep the boredom away this Spring Break!