Library News
By Sharon Blank

Summer reading is over - but summer vacation is still going, which makes this the perfect time to come in out of the heat and enjoy some cool reads!

The teen book club will be meeting 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, and we'll be discussing Holes by Louis Sachar. If you don't have a copy yet, don't fret - just come in and ask for a copy, and you can get one to read (and keep!) thanks to a grant from Planters EMC! Wednesday, July 30, at 2 p.m., we'll meet again to discuss Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling.

The board of the Screven- Jenkins Regional Library System will be meeting 4 p.m. Thursday, July 24.

Now, on to the books!

DEVIL MAY CARE: THE NEW JAMES BOND NOVEL by Sebastian Faulks writing as Ian Fleming. An Algerian drug runner has been executed on the streets of Paris. Not a case for 007, one would think - but M, the mysterious head of MI6, disagrees.

EVER AFTER by Karen Kingsbury. Emily and Justin are in love and thinking about marriage. Emily's parents, Lauren and Shane, are not so lucky - they can't agree about whether war and faith can possibly coexist. When a tragedy rocks their world, can Lauren and Shane set aside their disagreements so that God's love will conquer all?

HUNGRY GIRL: RECIPES AND SURVIVAL STRATEGIES FOR GUILT-FREE EATING IN THE REAL WORLD by Lisa Lillien. The clever connoisseur behind hungrygirl. com provides smart tips for simple, healthy (and tasty) eating for women on the go!

Links to these cool sites may be found at www.sjrls.org or at sjrls.blogspot.com!

Summer Reading That May Improve Your Fall Teaching

This summer reading list features titles on improving teaching and learning at the college and university level, most from a national association of faculty developers. From the Chronicle Review of the Chronicle of Higher Education.

opensecrets.org: 527 Committee Activity

"527 groups are tax-exempt organizations that engage in political activities, often through unlimited soft money contributions. Most 527s on this list are advocacy groups trying to influence federal elections. ... 527s must report their contributors and expenditures" to the government. This site provides current information about the top 50 committees and top contributors and individual donors. From the Center for Responsive Politics.

Budget Travel: The Real Deals

Compilation of reports of airline and lodging specials and package deals, grouped by regions of the world. Also includes other specific travel deals, such as hotels offering gas cards, golf getaways, volunteer vacations, tours, "girlfriend getaways," and cruises. From Budget Travel magazine.

Special Report: Water

This series of stories from June 2008 explores current water related issues, including water scarcity, drought, waterborne diseases, dams and hydro electricity, the global water industry, and bottled water. Also includes a map showing world water use and some articles on "lighter" water topics, such as "extreme beach toys" and windsurfing. From Forbes.

Well, that's it for now - see you at the library!