Are you thinking about getting an eReader? Maybe you've got a friend who just loves theirs, or you've seen people using them just about anywhere you can think of. But you're not sure exactly how it works or if you'll like using it. Why not give one a test drive before you buy?

The Kenton County Library is now lending out Nooks! Each Nook comes preloaded with a selection of 10-15 books - choose from Bestsellers, Mysteries, Science Fiction, Romance and others. You can check one out for 14 days. This way you can try it first hand, and feel free to ask us questions. We also offer classes so you can learn how to borrow eBooks from the library. Give it a try!

I was talking with a friend the other day about her book group. She wanted me to recommend a novel set during World War II that's not too graphic. I can understand that - they are interested in the time period, but don't want to feel like an emotional wreck when they finish reading.

My suggestion was Jamie Ford's beautifully written book The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. It begins in the 1980's with Henry, a Seattle man who learns that items belonging to Japanese immigrants have been found in the basement of the Panema Hotel. We find out that Henry is Chinese and as a child during World War II he made friends with a Japanese girl named Keiko. The attack on Pearl Harbor turned people against the Japanese, even though Keiko was born in Seattle. Henry's father makes him to wear a button that states "I am Chinese", not that it makes much difference to the other children. The story alternates between the 40's and the 80's, telling how Henry acquires a love for jazz, Keilo and her parents are forced to move to a Japanese internment camp, and the lengths Henry goes to try and keep his young love safe.

The war in America is something I haven't read about to often in novels. What was happening to people living in the United States, not just in Europe and Japan. Ford's book is engaging and thought provoking. Consider what patriotism and belonging really mean.

It's February 29th aka Leap Day! An occurrence every four years that grants us an extra day. Is it more work? More play? More life? What will you do with more time?

I recently read a book as part of Southbank Reads, an new online book discussion group moderated by staff from the Kenton County Public Library. The novel is titled The Postmortal and it's the first book by author Drew Magary. The book begins in the very near future with a black market cure for aging. Once taken, the person remains at their exact age forever - the body may change, it can still be killed, but it will never age. And with that, time takes on a whole different meaning. What does "til death do us part" mean if there is no death? At what age do you take the cure? What struck me as very real about this book is how life and the planet would change. More people, more food, more housing, more space, more gas and oil, always a need for more. Perhaps the biggest question of all - would you take the cure? The Postmortal will really make you think.

If you're interested in participating in the Southbanks Reads online group, you can find information for joining us on the Kenton Library programs page. Everyone is welcome.

It's been a little while, but like the great song says "I'm still here". Do you enjoy a bit of rough and tumble, tongue in cheek humor that tells about the life of an ordinary person who became an extraordinary success? Then I have two words for you.

Bossy. Pants.

But when you are Tina Fey, you put them together and make it the title of your book. Bossypants is a look at what is in the mind of this very funny, very talented, and very versatile actress (except that she admits she always looks like herself no matter what character she's playing). Comedy seems to come so naturally to Fey that this is an interesting look at how crazy and stressful it can be on the performer/writer's  side. Few things can teach how to deal with the unpredictable and unplanned like doing a live comedy tour! Other things we learn? Well, gorgeous photo shoots are not glamorous, make sure you know who's in charge of the lifeboats on your cruise ship, and don't be afraid to push hard for what you know you deserve.

I loved reading the book, but have been told the audiobook (read by Tina Fey) is to die for. I may have to try the Bossypants on again.