TAKE A BREAK FROM YOUR NORMAL READING

by Paul Birkhead  Rowan Public Library
     
    Summer brings with it a lot of things.  Trips to the beach, cookouts, and family gatherings are all part of this time of year.  Another part is a break in our normal routines.  The biggest shakeups tend to be the kids getting out of school and vacations affecting our regular work schedule.  Perhaps this is a good time of year to break out of your reading routine as well.  Rowan Public Library has many new books on a variety of topics that you may not normally read about.
    Cabin Porn by Steven Leckart is one of the new titles that just arrived at the library.  Yes, you read that title correctly.   This book is an offshoot of a very popular blog where subscribers are regularly treated to images of cabins, shelters, and cottages tucked away in serene settings.  If you love cabins or just the thought of living in the great outdoors, you will be inspired by what you find inside this book.  The photography is amazing and will keep you turning the pages.  Prepare to spend hours gawking at some of the prettiest getaways you’ve ever seen.
    Small Data by Martin Lindstrom is another book with an interesting title.  Mr. Lindstrom is a marketing genius and an expert on studying human behavior.  His talent for analyzing minutia and translating it into increased sales and customer satisfaction is what keeps businesses and worldwide brand behemoths paying for his advice.  Mr. Lindstrom travels the globe throughout the year and spends most nights in ordinary folks’ homes soaking up valuable information on their habits.  In Small Data, you can read about how his observation of a refrigerator magnet resulted in an e-commerce boom or how small changes spurred big profits for North Carolina-based grocery store chain, Lowes Foods.
    Another North Carolina-based success story you can read about is the life of Emily Maynard Johnson.  In her book, I Said Yes, Emily tells her story of growing up, losing the love of her life, and finding fame on the set of TV’s the Bachelor and the Bachelorette.  After a couple of failed (and very public) relationships, Emily finally said yes to the one constant in her life – her relationship with God.  Lately, all the pieces seem to be falling into place for Emily.  She is happily married and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.  She has a popular website and blog and designs and markets her own line of jewelry.
    This year, 2016, marks one hundred years since the birth of the famous crooner, the late Frank Sinatra.  While everyone knows Frank Sinatra as a singer, he was also a very well-respected actor with an impressive list of film credits to his name.  In The Cinematic Legacy of Frank Sinatra, author David Wills presents a collection of Sinatra’s works accompanied by beautiful photos from the films or film sets.  Not only will fans of Sinatra find this book fascinating, but anyone who appreciates cinematic history or reading about American icons.
    United States of Jihad: Investigating America's Homegrown Terrorists is a book just published in February of this year that seems even more relevant after the tragic events which unfolded in Orlando, Florida last month.  Author Peter Bergen used his renowned researching skills to focus on the reasons why individuals are leaving America to go fight overseas and why the likelihood of “lone-wolf” type attacks may be increasing.  While not a pleasant subject to read about, homegrown terrorism is a relevant topic and something that definitely needs to be studied and understood.
    Summer is the perfect time to break free of any ruts you may have developed.  Your choice of reading material may be one of those.  Come to Rowan Public Library and find new materials that cover a variety of subjects.