PVLD Adult Services Blog

Let My People Go!

Some researchers believe that the plagues in the book of Exodus can be attributed to a chain of natural phenomena triggered by changes in the climate and environmental disasters.  Their findings form part of the “Mysteries of the Bible” series on the National Geographic Channel this evening. The scientists claim that the arrival of known [...]

“A rollicking, bittersweet gem”

Seattle author Sherman Alexie, 43, was announced yesterday as winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for his book War Dances, a collection of short stories, essays, and poems.  Alexie is the first Native American recipient of the fiction honor. As winner, Alexie receives $15,000.  Each of the four other finalists— Barbara Kingsolver for The Lacuna, Lorraine M. [...]

How (Not) to Have a Stroke

Stroke affects nearly 800,000 Americans every year, often leading to death or impairment.  While we have no control of some risk factors, such as genetics, scientists have found that other factors, such as diet, weight, and smoking, are well within our control. Marital status and happiness can play a role in stroke prevention.  Israeli researchers [...]

Heroes in the Pacific

250 veterans gathered today at the National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.  HBO and a nonprofit group brought the veterans to Washington to mark the premiere of a 10-part series called “The Pacific.”  It begins Sunday and focuses on the lives of Marines fighting the Japanese. “The Pacific” is primarily based on two [...]

Brigadier General Jimmy Stewart

While Jimmy Stewart was building his reputation as an actor, the world was preparing for war.  On September 16, 1940 Congress passed the Selective Service Act calling for 900,000 men between the ages of 20 and 36 to be drafted each year.  When Stewart’s draft number (310) was called in February 1941, he appeared at Draft Board [...]

A Prodigy in Sherwood Forest

Erich Wolfgang Korngold is often credited with the creation of the modern film score.  But before arriving in Hollywood he was well known in Europe as a composer of operas and concert works.  Like his namesake, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Korngold began his musical career as a child prodigy. Korngold came to Hollywood from Austria in [...]

Read the Movie!

If you’ve ever wondered if the book was as good as (or better than) the movie, check out the book display cart near the circulation desk at the Peninsula Center Library.  It features books that have been adapted for the big (and little) screen.