Leesburg Is Reading

ESL Holiday Extravaganza!

2009-12-30T18:01:00.001-05:00

The Rust Library English Conversation Group hosted a Holiday Potluck Dinner on December 10, featuring music, food and entertainment from every corner of the globe. Among the countries represented were Algeria, the Cameroon, Czechoslovakia, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, India, and Korea. Representatives from several other area literacy providers, including Northern Virginia Community College and the Loudoun Literacy Council, were also in attendance. Special thanks for helping to make the event a success go to our volunteers Barbara and Berthe; students Fatiha, Georgette, and Marta, for working their culinary magic in the kitchen, and to Franklin for providing Latin dance lessons to all!

New Year’s Resolutions

2009-12-30T16:00:00.000-05:00

Lose weight, exercise, save money, get out more. We can’t help you with the first two, but we’ve got the last two covered. For an evening or afternoon of free and friendly entertainment, join one of the Rust library book discussions. From January to May, we’ve scheduled fiction and non-fiction titles that will make coming out in the cold worthwhile. Pick a Monday evening discussion at 7:00PM or a Tuesday afternoon at 1:30PM, the fourth Monday or Tuesday of the month and enjoy thoughtful conversation about a work of fiction.

January 25 and 26—Jim Fergus’ compelling book, One Thousand White Women
February 22 and 23—Edith Wharton’s American classic, Ethan Frome
March 22 and 23—Alan Brennert’s narrative about Hawaii, Moloka’i
April 26 and 27—Masha Hamilton’s story about the effects of doing good, The Camel Bookmobile
May 24 and 25—Sebastian Barry’s novel about the troubles in Ireland, The Secret Scripture

For fans of non-fiction, enjoy the new quarterly non-fiction book discussion, beginning with Epitaph for a Peach: four seasons on my family farm by David Mas Masumoto on Monday February 1 at 7:00PM and Geography of Bliss: one grump’s search for the happiest places in the world by Eric Weiner on Monday, May 3 at 7:00PM.

Call the Rust library reference desk for more information or to obtain a copy of the book, 703-777-0690.

Learning English at the Rust Library

2009-12-30T15:59:00.000-05:00

In September, the Rust Library began a new series of informal conversation groups for speakers of English as a second language. These conversation groups are free of charge and open to learners at all levels. We meet each Wednesday morning at 10:30 and Thursday evening at 7:00.

In addition, the Library is also partnering with the Loudoun Literacy Council to provide formal ESL classes at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Spring classes will be taught at the Library on Monday evenings, beginning the final week of January and ending the first week of June. Please visit their web site for more information about schedules, fees and registration.

Civil War Novelist to Visit Bluemont

2009-04-20T15:21:00.000-04:00

Jessica James, award-winning author of Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia, will sign copies of her novel on May 2nd from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Bluemont Vineyard.

The rolling hills of northern Virginia provide the setting for this tale of courage and devotion as a Confederate cavalry officer and a Union spy defend their beliefs, their country and their honor.

Buy a book and get a free pony ride?

2009-02-24T17:26:00.000-05:00

Well -- it's not at the library -- but it is a book signing event just down Route 15 from Rust Library. The American Academy of Equestrian Sciences is hosting a book signing of Chancey of the Maury River with author Gigi Amateau.

Told through a horse’s eyes, Chancey of the Maury River is the entrancing tale of an Appaloosa who finds a chance to renew his trust, and of the humans he helps to restore. It is written for Young Adults and horse fans of all ages.

Join the author from 2-4 PM on Sunday April 26. The event will be held at 19844 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg, 20175. For more information, visit the American Academy of Equestrian Sciences on the web, or call 703-779-8082. And yes -- free pony rides with book purchase.

Drive a Little, Meet a Lot ... of Authors

2008-12-01T18:13:00.000-05:00

Boonsboro, Maryland -- a mere 40 miles NW of Leesburg, is a notoriously book-loving town. On Saturday December 6, the Turn the Page Bookstore Cafe is proving it with their Holiday Event. This book-signing will feature authors -- Nora Roberts (and her alter-ego, JD Robb), Gail Barrett, Dolly Nasby, Elaine Fox and Kathryn Caskie -- as well as the country charm of our neighbors to the north.

Leesburg (like everyplace else) is reading Nora Roberts -- here's a chance to be meeting her as well! Here's directions if you're up for the trip.

Fifth Business by Robertson Davies

2008-11-19T15:50:00.000-05:00

Fifth Business by Robertson Davies generated intense conversations on November 3rd and 4th at the Rust library book discussions.

The book opens with a four page description of an event with lifelong impact. Two boys, about ten have spent the afternoon sledding. Percy has a new sled but it doesn’t defeat his sometime friend, sometime enemy, Dunny on his old sled. In frustration, Percy throws snowballs at Dunny. The last one misses and hits Mrs. Dempster, the wife of the Methodist minister. She is pregnant, and whether because she is frail or because of the snowball hitting her head, Mary Dempster goes into labor and her son is born that night. For the rest of their lives these three men act and react to each other. Dunny chooses to let life happen and let’s circumstance move him along. Percy chooses to attack life and plots his ascendance to wealth and power. Paul Dempster chooses a completely different path.

I was one of the readers who was captured by this event. I wanted to know the rest of the story. Other readers didn’t want to know more. How about you?

2008 One Book-One Community

2008-09-10T14:51:00.000-04:00

On behalf of the Loudoun County Public Library and the Board of Trustees, you are invited to participate in the 2008 OneBook-One Community program.

One Book-One Community encourages all Loudoun County residents to read the same book at the same time. This year's selection is Nothing But the Truth by award-winning author Avi. Free copies of this book will be available at all seven Loudoun County libraries beginning September 11. Read Nothing But the Truth and then attend a book discussion or a Reader's Theater presentation. Most excitingly join us on Thursday, September 25 at 7:00 pm at Park View High School in Sterling to welcome Avi! A book signing will follow.

Nothing But the Truth programs at Rust Library:

Book Discussions:

Monday, October 6 at 7:00 pm
Tuesday, October 7 at 1:30
Monday, October 20 at 6:00 pm (for teens)

Reader's Theater:

Monday, October 20 at 7:00 pm

We hope to see you then.

Loudoun Reads

2008-09-03T13:41:00.000-04:00

Come hear Loudoun authors and dignitaries read from their favorite books and poems in celebration of International Literacy Day!

This free event will take place Friday, September 5th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Leesburg Town Rose Garden on Loudoun Street behind the Loudoun Museum.

Please join us after the event for book signings; author's books will be available for purchase. Refreshments will be served.

For more information about Loudoun Reads contact the Loudoun Literacy Council at 703-777-2205.

Readings will be presented by:

Noel Grove Author

Andrea McGimsey Loudoun County Board of Supervisors

Marc Leepson Author

Tom Sweitzer Playwright

Carol Basham Head Start, Director

Marnie Montgomery Adult Literacy Tutor

Yu Cheng Loudoun Literacy Student

Jing-Chiou Lee Loudoun Literacy Student

Peter Dunning President and Artistic Director,

Bluemont Concert Series

Jan Neuharth Author

John R. Gardiner Author

Man Reads 21,730 Pages

2008-08-08T16:24:00.000-04:00

This morning's interview on NPR's Morning Edition with Ammon Shea was surprising. Surprisingly interesting and surprisingly beautiful. Mr. Shea took a year off and spent each day in a basement library reading the OED, the Oxford English Dictionary, all 22 volumes. He has now written a book about the experience, Reading the OED: One Man, One Year, 21,730 Pages. Mr. Shea knows the most wonderful words and talks about the ways in which knowing the words enriches his life. The enrichment "occurs when words seem to arrange themselves into strings of poetry or prose....And once he has learned about a new word, Shea said, he finds himself thinking about the concept it describes more often. An example, he says, is "petrichor," a word for the scent that rises from pavement after rain has begun to fall.

What an unexpected book, I will make sure to read it.

Meet Local Author Ellen Crosby

2008-08-04T16:13:00.000-04:00

Ellen Crosby, author of the popular “A Wine Country Mystery” books, will be at Books and Crannies bookstore (http://booksandcrannies.com/events.htm) in Middleburg on Saturday, August 9. Ms. Crosby will discuss and sign copies of her newest book, The Bordeaux Betrayal, from 1:30 – 3:30 pm.

Want to learn some ‘behind the scenes’ stories about The Bordeaux Betrayal? Join Ellen Crosby at the Swedendurg Winery ( http://www.swedenburgwines.com/) on Sunday, August 17 from 11:00 – 5:00 pm. What a great way to spend a summer afternoon with your friends – a book signing and some Loudoun County wine and cheese.

Check out Ellen Crosby's other titles in the "A Wine Country Mystery" series - TheMerlot Murders and The Chardonnay Charade available (http://catalog.lcpl.lib.va.us) as a book and a CD.

Book Discussions on the Radio

2008-07-17T16:24:00.000-04:00

Enjoy a live call-in and email discussion of Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery on the Diane Rehm show, July 23rd, 88.5 FM, WAMU.

For more information, http://wamu.org/programs/dr/readers_review/

Adult Book Discussion September 2008

2008-07-08T15:21:00.000-04:00

Monday, Sep. 8, 7:00 PM or Tuesday, Sep. 9, 1:30 PM.

Join us for a discussion of Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.

Recommended for adults.

Musical Kick-Off Concert by Little Mozart Academy

2008-06-18T15:29:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, Jun. 18, 1:00 PM

The Little Mozart Academy students and Director, Gabriela Morillo-Bohnett presented a special concert to kick-off our 2008 Summer Reading Program.

If you missed the concert, we have some pictures and a video clip for you to watch.

Summertime and the Reading is Easy

2008-06-17T10:30:00.000-04:00

It's summertime and my reading is easy. School is out forever, my kids are working real grown up jobs, and things have slowed down around my house. The gardens are all planted, mostly weeded, and all that rain is doing a great job of keeping them watered. So it's time to kick back and relax.

Even on a sunny hot day the hammock is in shade - beckoning. I grab some cold lemonade to stick in the hammock webbing, maybe the cell phone so I can make calls if I wish, some really bad for you but delicious junk food (crunchy cheese curls or gum drops are a good choice), a book or two and disappear out back. No watch, no house phone (they can call back), and deny all dirty laundry, piles and dust. This is my time.

Truly, all this happens only a few times over the course of the summer but when it does I have no guilt, no problem ignoring the rest of the world and I always wonder why I don't do this more often.

Adult Book Discussion July 2008

2008-06-11T16:33:00.000-04:00

Monday, Jul. 14, 7:00 PM OR Tuesday, Jul. 15, 1:30 PM.
Book discussion of Family by J. California Cooper.

Just another sad, horrible tale about the daily life of a slave in America’s South before the Civil War? No, this one is different. This author draws you in until you can’t put the book down. As one of the discussion participants said, the author makes you care about the characters, care more than you want to. You’d rather not care so much or feel so much.

There’s Clora, the narrator. Her mother committed suicide after she killed her master. Clora sees that her daughter is getting older and soon, Always, will have to serve the master too. Clora tries to find a way out for Always and brews a soup made from poisonous plants. The entire family drinks the soup but only Clora dies. Now, Clora watches her children and grandchildren and tells us the story of their lives.

This slim book is on reading lists at some high schools in the US. It is easily read. It will stay with you for a long time.

Adult Book Discussion June 2008

2008-06-11T16:17:00.000-04:00

Monday, June 9, 7:00 PM OR Tuesday, June. 10, 1:30 PM.

The June discussion book at Rust Library was Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Leesburg readers had a lively conversation--wondering whether it’s possible to runaway to the circus more than once in a lifetime and why the author opens the book with such a misleading description of events and if Marlena knows what really happened during the animal stampede. The book’s evocative setting in a depression era traveling circus reminded many readers of their own experiences when the circus came to town and the texture of life during this period of American history.

If you haven’t read Water for Elephants, you will enjoy it. This book received unanimous thumbs up from our discussion group.

Adult Book Discussion May 2008

2008-06-09T17:08:00.000-04:00

Monday, May 12, 7:00 PM or Tuesday, May. 13, 1:30 PM at Rust Library.

March by Geraldine Brooks.

Recommended for adults. Sponsored by Rust Library Advisory Board.

2008 Summer Reading Fun for Everyone

2008-05-31T11:08:00.000-04:00

Starting June 18, record what you’ve read in your online reading log and be eligible for prizes. Throughout the summer there will be prizes, programs and more than enough to keep you in suspense! Check out the Summer Reading Program "M" is for Mystery video.