First Lines

Books with amazing first lines really stick with me. And it's so often that an amazing first line is the entry into an extraordinary book.

So it is with this year's Orange Prize winner, The Tiger's Wife, by Téa Obreht. It reads,

"In my earliest memory, my grandfather is bald as a stone and he takes me to see the tigers."

I was pulled in immediately and wish the other parts of my life would go away so I can focus on reading this wonderful book without interruption.

Nancy Pearl also loves first lines and gives some more great famous first words reading ideas on NPR, including these:


"The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there." The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley

"Captain Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last." Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund

Summer is a perfect time to sink into books old and new. Sno-Isle Libraries offers some great summer reading lists, and we're always here in person and on-line to provide reading suggestions made just for you!

Kara

CONA: Centennial of Naval Aviation

This year marks the Centennial of Naval Aviation or CONA: 100 years of flying for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Naval aviators and the families and crews who support their work contribute immeasurably to the defense of our nation. From the earliest days of patrol missions like those of Oak Harbor's PBY, to the sophisticated reconnaissance work of today's planes, naval aviation has played a vital role in the history of the United States.

Join the celebration - check out some new titles in Sno-Isle Libraries collection:

Fly Navy: Discovering the Extraordinary People and Enduring Spirit of Naval Aviation by Alvin Townley (Thomas Dunne Books, 2011). "Townley delves beyond the Top Gun Hollywood image to reveal the true mettle and genuine story of the elite men and women of naval aviation."

Fly Navy: Celebrating the first century of naval aviation by Erik Hidebrandt. "Aviation photographer and author Erik Hildebrandt chronicles all systems serving in naval aviation with never before seen photography in this epic picture book."

Don't miss the Sea Plane Fly-In at the Oak Harbor Library Friday, July 29 - Sunday, July 31 - sure to be a great show! Mary

Read and Win!

Did you know that adults get to read and win during Summer Reading too?!

Write reviews online or on paper at your local library and you will be eligible to win a Nook eReader!

And, be sure to ask your local library about prizes unique to your community. For example, in Oak Harbor, after you submit five books reviews, we give you a gift certificate to Whidbey Coffee!

Read all about Adult Summer Reading here and be sure to ask us for ideas on the next great book to read!

Kara

Whidbey Island Surface Design: Fiber Arts Display

Whidbey Island Surface Design is a group of artists who share an interest in surface design.

Surface design encompasses the coloring, patterning and structuring of fiber and fabric. This involves creative exploration of processes such as dyeing, painting, printing, stitching, embellishing, quilting, weaving, knitting, felting and papermaking.

The artists featured at Oak Harbor Library are Mary Burks, Pat Morse, Diane Reardon and Larkin Jean Van Horn.

Whidbey Island Surface Design also has artwork on display this month at the Coupeville Library and the Freeland Library.

For more information about Whidbey Island Surface Design and its member artists, visit

http://whidbeyislandsda.wordpress.com/