Quite Ugly One Morning

Quite Ugly One Morning by Christopher Brookmyre opened with one of the most graphically described, gruesome murder scenes I have ever read.  I had to assume the author was competing for some kind of “most gross scene ever” prize and for a while there I had my doubts about the book.  Once I got past that scene and into the book itself, though, it turned out to be a very good book.  It had interesting characters, a reasonable plot, and made interesting points about “managed medical care.” 

All in all a book I would recommend, though I might suggest skipping the pages at the beginning (unless you like being grossed out).

Trivia of the Week...

This week's question is ---> Which notorious 19^th century gunfighter was killed during a poker game while holding two eights and two aces, the origin of the term, “dead man’s hand”?

Immigration Information Session / Charla Informativa sobre Inmigración

Mark your calendars for April 2 at 5:00…Catholic Charities of Los Angeles will be conducting a QUESTION & ANSWER forum to discuss the NEW updates in immigration laws proposed by the Department of Homeland Security and Congress.  Join us and see how these new laws will affect You and YOUR family.

“Catholic Charities of Los Angeles” tendremos un FORO de PREGUNTAS y RESPUESTAS sobre los NUEVOS informes de las leyes de inmigración propuestas por El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional y el Congreso estadounidense. Venga y vea como estas nuevas leyes afectaran a Ud. y a SU FAMILIA.

For more information or to register, contact Catholic Charities at / Para más información o para regisrarse comuniquese a Catholic Charities al              213-251-3520

TOW (& Answer)...

A bit delayed but---> last's week's question was: Where have the largest numbers of meteorites been discovered in the past decade?

The answer is Antarctica.  This question (and answer) were taken from p. 471 of A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets by Jay Pasachoff.  The book was published in 2000 by Houghton Mifflon.

Events for the Week of March 4...

Things going on at the library during the week include:

• Baby & Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (3/6) at 10:30
• Desktop Publishing Basics class on Wednesday at 12:00
• LACMA Art Class for Teens also on Wednesday at 4:00
• LACMA Art Class for Kids & Families on Thursday (3/7) at 4:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (3/8) at 3:30
• UCLA Gluck String Quartet Performance on Saturday (3/9) at 2:00

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches.

The Ninth Circle

The Ninth Circle by R. M. Meluch is straight up space opera.  It is quite enjoyable.  It is part of a series.  Although it can be read alone the characters are established across the series so you will get a clearer idea of who is who if you read them all.  This one centers on political machinations (which in this universe essentially means war) on a planet that has been recently discovered to host DNA based life.  All in all a recommended read for those who like science fiction. 

Websites I use…

Well anyone who’s actually reading my little library blog is probably already aware of the nelalist but just in case you’re not check it out.  The nelalist (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nelalist/) is a yahoo group that posts messages about the neighborhoods of Northeast Los Angeles.  Read the messages to find out what is going on in the minds of your neighbors.  Use the list to get word out about events, issues, questions that you have yourself.  An excellent local resource.

Dragon Ship

Dragon Ship by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller is another entry in their Liaden Universe series.  It is a specific sequel to the book Ghost Ship (though I had no trouble following the adventure without having read that book).  I have always enjoyed the Lee & Miller titles I’ve picked up and this one is no exception.  Basically they are pure old fashioned space opera.  In this one we follow (principally) the ship Bechimo and crew as they venture out to establish a trade route.

I would recommend this title, indeed I would recommend any from the series. 

The Arroyo Book Club for March…

This March we will be reading the book The Soloist by Steve Lopez.  This non-fiction book tells the story of a LA Times reporter and a “Violin Man” on Skid Row.  It began as a series of columns, became a book, and was turned into a film.

  We will be airing the film on Tuesday, March 19 at 5:30.   

So… stop by the library for a copy of the book.  Join us for the film screening.  Finally, come to the book club meeting on 3/23 to discuss what you’re thoughts are on the book and/or on the movie.

Trivia of the Week...

This week's question is:

Where have the largest numbers of meteorites been discovered in the past decade?

TOW (& Answer)...

This week’s question was what is the Pendleton Act? 

The Pendleton Act was an act mandating that federal government jobs be awarded on the basis of merit.  It was passed in 1883 and signed into law by Chester A. Arthur, who was President because a “disgruntled” job seeker had assassinated President Garfield.

The question (and answer) were taken from page 118 of Our Documents: 100 Milestone Documents from the National Archives. The book was published by Oxford University Press in 2003 

Events for the Week of February 25…

Things going on at the library during the week include:

• Telescope Night on Monday (2/25) from 6:00-7:45 --- Weather permitting
• Baby & Toddler Storytime on Wednescay (2/27) at 10:30
• LACMA Art Class for Teens also on Wednesday at 4:00
• LACMA Art Class for Kids & Families on Thursday (2/28) at 4:00
• Introduction to Word Processing class also on Thursday at 6:30
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (3/1) at 3:30

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches.

LAPL Reads...

Don’t know what book to read next?  Looking for something vaguely similar to this book you really liked?  Take a look at the LAPL Reads (http://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/lapl-reads) section of the LAPL website.  Here you will find what “our librarians are reading,” recent arrivals, popular (or hot) titles, new books by genre, and a ton of book lists on a wide variety of topics (including our very own ABC (Arroyo Book Club) Picks – which lists every book the book club has read in the many years since its founding). 

Drop in sometime and browse around.

Highland Park History….

Did you know that Mammoth bones were found during the excavation for Sparkletts Water company in 1939?  Check out this photo & caption (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520350.pdf) to see.