Book Clubs Select July-December Reading

Both the Bodacious Bookies and the Night Readers have announced their reading choices for the remainder of 2008. The Bodacious Bookies meet from 1-3 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month in the conference room. The Night Readers meet at 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month, also in the conference room.

The July-December choices of the Bodacious Bookies are: July 3, “The Accidental Tourist,” by Anne Tyler; Aug. 7, “Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind,” by Ann B. Ross; Sept. 4, “Black Sunday,” by Thomas Harris; Oct. 2, “How to Be Lost,” by Amanda Eyre Ward; Nov. 6, Reader’s Choice, plus voting on January-June 2009 choices; and Dec. 4, “The Guns of the South,” by Harry Turtledove.

The July-December choices of the Night Readers are: July 15, “Memoirs of a Geisha,” by Arthur Golden; Aug. 19, “Disgrace,” by J.M. Coetzee; Sept. 16, “Atonement” by Ian McEwan; Oct. 21, “Wuthering Heights,” by Emily Bronte; Nov. 18, “The Uses of Enchantment,” by Heidi Julavits; and Dec. 16, “Heartburn,” by Nora Ephron. The group also plans to view film adaptations in July, September, October and December. Times for the movies will be announced at a later date.

Author Sheds Light On Gnostic Gospels, Early Church

WRITER AND SPEAKER J. Michael Matkin, author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Gnostic Gospels” and “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Early Christianity,” spoke Thursday night at McAlester Public Library. Matkin’s presentation covered the gnostic traditions in several cultures, the discoveries of the texts, and brief overviews of the Gospels of Thomas, Phillip, Mary and the Egyptians and the Gospel of Truth. He also spoke of the purported “Q” document. The audience of about 20 had a variety of questions for the author.

Tickets On Sale At Library

POSTERS AND FLYERS are going up all over town to promote the comic murder mystery “A Gram of Greed, A Dash of Death,” Saturday, May 31 at McAlester Public Library and the Masonic Temple. Assistant Librarian Kathy McGilberry says tickets are still available from Rite Care Clinic at 426-2300 or at the library, 402 North 2nd.

June Children’s, Teen Calendars Available

Children’s Librarian Anita Ross and Teen Librarian Sarah Brown have been busy planning activities for the summer reading program, and calendars are now available showing all the details. Patrons will find them available in a display near the front desk.

The theme for children’s activities this year is “Catch the Reading Bug.” And for young adults, the theme is “Metamorphosis @ Your Library.”

Children’s activities begin Monday, June 2 with “lunch bunch,” and continue each weekday of the month with regular programs, story times and movies. The main programs each week are on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. June programs include: “Tropical Illusions,” “Monty Harper Music and Songs,” Chris Wilkerson of the Science Museum and Magician Steve Crawford.

Young adult activities also begin Monday, June 2 with a 5:30 p.m. meeting of the recently-organized Manga Club. Other scheduled activities include Teen Movie Nights, Game Time, a mother-daughter Mary Kay Makeover night, for which registration is required, and a forensic science presentation. All young adult activities are for those in grades 6-12. Participants who register for the summer reading program will earn points toward special prizes when they attend certain programs, do book reviews or complete other fun activities.

Who Will Survive ‘A Gram of Greed, A Dash Of Death’?

THE CAST AND CREW of the comic murder mystery “A Gram of Greed, A Dash of Death” met for the first run-through Tuesday night at the Masonic Temple. Co-author Justin Horne, far left, listens as the cast discuss their characterizations. Those participating include: Bob Segal as Gason LeTourniquet; Stroud Holt as Charleston Q. Balfour; Krista Abernathy as Bootsie Velvoon; Tarrant King as Nestor Groat; Tedi Graham as Teeter Tomazelli; John Turnauckas as Valentino Santana; Justin Horne as Inspector Les Babble; Dorothy Turnauckas as Sergeant #1; Martha Barber as Sergeant #2; Maggie Barber as Sergeant #3; Laurie Cagle as Sergeant #4; Brian Engleman as Whip Tatum; Quentin Graham as Spago Botulley; and Christine Sauro as the Greeter. Mark and Ellen Barber are co-directors. Sharon McDaniel is co-author, with Horne. Kathy McGilberry is handling publicity. The Rite Care Clinic and Friends of the Library will benefit from ticket sales. To get tickets call the clinic at 426-2300 or come by the library at 401 North 2nd.

Through The Display Case Glass

NEW TEEN LIBRARIAN Sarah Brown is currently sharing her collection of Alice in Wonderland and Lewis Carroll memorabilia through a display set up in the lobby. The collection contains a tea set, cardboard cut-outs, a cookie jar, playing cards, figurines, books, tins and a music box.

Many May Activities At The Library

Activities are as varied as the flowers of May this month at the library. With the addition of a new teen librarian, Sarah Brown; the usual activities for young children; the conclusion of the spring “Let’s Talk About It;” and the regular Saturday movie, there are plenty of things to do.

But much, much more is scheduled this month.

On Monday, May 5, a special display went up near the front desk, courtesy of Reference Librarian Christopher Elliott. It’s all about germs and viruses and plagues and icky things. The theme was suggested by this month’s featured movie in our Second Saturday Cinema.

The full slate of activities includes:

Thursday, May 8, 6-8 p.m.–The final “Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma” of the season. Scholar David Laney of Northeastern State University will present “Cozy” by Parnell Hall, the final book in a series starring sleuth Stanley Hastings. Lots of good refreshments will be served, and the public is urged to attend. There will also be a sneak preview of the fall theme and books.

Friday, May 9, 3:30-5:30 p.m.–In the Whiteacre Room East there will be video games on the library’s new Wii System, projected onto the big screen. Lots of fun for grades 6-12 and free snacks too.

Saturday, May 10, 2 p.m.–Second Saturday Cinema. Will Smith is the last man on earth, not counting mutants. You’ll enjoy this remake of The Omega Man, and don’t forget–free popcorn and a prize drawing after the movie.

May 12-17 is “Children’s Book Week” and “Reading Is Fun Week.” Check out a few books for your favorite child and make sure they know how incredibly cool reading is.

Tuesday, May 20, Noon–Friends of the Library meet for a Reader’s Choice discussion of fun books, summer books, favorite books and notable books. Every kind but boring books.

Tuesday, May 20, 6:30 p.m.–Night Readers meet in the Conference Room to discuss Rohinton Mistry’s “Family Matters.” After the discussion, the group will decide their reading choices for July-December of this year.

Thursday, May 22, 6:30 p.m.–A special program for adults, “The Gnostic Gospels and the Early Church,” a presentation by author and speaker J. Michael Matkin. He is the author of two books; a recent transplant to McAlester from Bellingham, Washington; the father of two; and the husband of a McAlester native. If you want to learn more about the discoveries at Nag Hammadi, or Gnosticism in general, please attend. There will be a question-and-answer session following his presentation.

Friday, May 23, 3:30-5:30 p.m.–More Wii games in the Whiteacre East for kids in grades 6-12. Free snacks, a big screen, lots of fun!

Monday, May 26–CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY.

Tuesday, May 27, 5:30 p.m.–Children’s Librarian Anita Ross has lots of family fun planned for her third “Family Fun Night.” The event, for families with young children, will feature a light supper.

And the big finale!

Saturday, May 31, 5:30 p.m.–“A Gram of Greed, a Dash of Death,” the locally written-producted-directed-and-acted murder mystery starring many of your favorite Friends of the Library and community volunteers. Tickets are $50 and are well worth it! For that price you get: hors d’oeuvres at McAlester Public Library prepared by the Assistant Librarian and Quentin Graham (aka Spago Botulley); a tour of special, non-public, areas of the Masonic Temple; a fantastic steak dinner with all the extras, prepared by Brian Engleman (aka Whip Tatum); the opportunity to be deputized and solve a crime; and special prizes for the winning sleuths. This promises to be a night you’ll never forget! All proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Library and the Rite Care Clinic, for children with communication difficulties.

To learn more about the event, or to purchase your tickets, call the Clinic at 426-2300, or come by the library. We’ll be happy to tell you more about it!

We Have A Winner!

A lucky patron named Brittany won the contest that began during National Library Week. She checked out Elizabeth Berg’s “Say When,” the most popular book at McAlester Public Library, as determined by total number of checkouts.

For her persistence in going through the list and checking out the books she thought the most likely possibilities, Brittany won a bag full of special prizes. Her winnings included: crossword books, puzzle books, a gift box filled with vanilla lotions and soaps, bookmarks, posters, candies, and other surprises. Congratulations, Brittany!