Reading Recs

Published by the National Park Service, this is the memoir of an Aleut boy who was six years old when Japanese forces captured Attu, the westernmost island in the Aleutian chain. Nick and his entire village were taken to Japan as prisoners of war. Nearly half of them died in captivity. When American forces rescued and repatriated them, they were not allowed to return to Attu. The invasion, capture, and recapture of Attu Island is one of the more obscure campaigns of World War 2. It also is the only time since the War of 1812 that a foreign army has occupied American soil. Read this book to learn of Nick’s journey. – Pat Willingham, Kent Library

As the weather warms, what could be more refreshing than a delicious smoothie? Enjoy tasty recipes for healthy smoothies to help with detoxing, fitness, immune-boosting, and even mood-enhancing. From lemon-cucumber to orange-ginger, cool off with one of these fresh smoothies. Bon appetit! – Stephanie Hallam, Kent Library

I enjoyed this book about a great journey. – Mandy Blaney, Facilities Management

It is my favorite book of all time because it follows Celie from childhood to old age and tells of her struggles in life and how she adapted to them and overcame them. There is sadness in the book but also joy. – Peggy Lacey, Kent Library

This is a great science fiction film full of imagination with an overall theme of tolerance, acceptance and friendship. – Mandy Blaney, Facilities Management

This is a fascinating documentary study of the final voyage of the USS Indianapolis. Torpedoed shortly after midnight on July 30th, 1945, the Indianapolis went down within minutes. Of nearly 1200 aboard, about 900 made it into the water. Since they were due to arrive at their next port later that day, they expected to be rescued soon. Instead, the ship’s failure to arrive was not reported up the chain of command, and no action was taken. On August 2nd, a patrol plane happened to spot the men in the water and radioed for help. The first rescue vessel arrived just after midnight on August 3rd. By that point, nearly two-thirds of the initial survivors had perished. The sinking of the Indianapolis stands as the worst maritime disaster in American naval history. The story was revived in the popular culture by the movie, Jaws, in which the shark hunter, Quint, delivers a monologue about his experience with the sinking and the shark attacks. To find out what really happened, read this book. – Pat Willingham, Kent Library

The book features many great recipes that are not only plant-based, but also flavorful, quick to make and lower in calories. There are icons on each recipe page that you can use to quickly find the type of recipe you are looking for. Some of the different icons include: fat-free, gluten-free, soy-free, budget, pantry, single serving, and quick. Recipes include breakfast, breads and muffins, tacos, sandwiches, burgers, soups, sides, pastas, and create-your-own! This book is definitely worth taking a look at if you are interested in exploring plant-based cooking! – Mary Robbins, Kent Library

You already know how to use Google. But do you know how to use Google as well as a professional research scientist who works for Google? Would you like to? Dr. Daniel M. Russell will take you the more advanced uses of web searching and turn you into a true search expert. – Carl Hess, Kent Library

Named in honor of science fiction pioneer Octavia E. Butler, this short story collection explores the connections between speculative fiction and social change. It uses science fiction, fantasy, superheroes, and more to look at how to make the world a radically better place. – Carl Hess, Kent Library

A Study in Scarlet chronicals the start of Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes' partnership as they solve their first crime together. A mutual friend, Stamford, shares the history of Sherlock and introduces the two. Soon a case falls into their laps. Through observation and deductions, they solve the murder of a man who appears to be poisoned and is connected to another murder. Part two, provides the backstory that led to the double homicide. Used as the basis for PBS' first episode of Sherlock, A Study in Pink, this wild case takes readers around London and to the great American desert of Utah. – Stephanie Hallam, Kent Library

Published by the American Battle Monuments Commission, and written by a social studies teacher participating in the Commission’s Understanding Sacrifice teacher education program, this is the story of a Japanese man and his wife who came to America at the turn of the twentieth century and raised their American-born children to love and honor this country. They encountered discrimination and hardship, including finding themselves interned in a relocation camp simply because of their ethnic origin. The three Akimoto sons enlisted in the Army and became part of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit comprised entirely of men of Japanese ancestry who volunteered for service. Two fought and died in Europe. The third son was an official Army photographer who accompanied General Douglas MacArthur to Tokyo to photograph the Japanese surrender ceremony aboard the USS Missouri. If you are not familiar with the history of Japanese immigration to this country or have not heard of the relocation camps or the 442nd, you should read this book. And while you are at it, play with the wonderful interactive maps that are linked from it. – Pat Willingham, Kent Library

This documentary investigates the life and work science fiction and fantasy luminary Ursula K. Le Guin, author of The Dispossessed, A Wizard of Earthsea, and The Left Hand of Darkness. Authors such as Margaret Atwood and Neil Gaiman talk about the influence of Le Guin. – Carl Hess, Kent Library