Another week has passed and I am faced with writing the column. Some weeks it's challenging to come up with a topic and other weeks I am flooded with items for discussion. This week is a flood week so I hope you'll excuse the smorgasbord approach.

This past Saturday saw the Stone Hedge Country Club aswirl with flowing dresses and tuxedos as the Marshall Public Library Foundation hosted a Valentine's Day Dinner Dance. The response from the community was fantastic and the turnout was great!

Because of your support, the Foundation raised over $7,000 -- money that is earmarked for the future of the library. For those of you who missed the opportunity to attend, mark your calendars for next year -- the Foundation will be hosting another Dinner Dance on Feb. 16, 2008.

While we're on the topic of the Library Foundation, I would like to announce some new board members and officers: Brenda Randolph (President), Cheryl Kennon (Secretary), Rachel Bockman (Treasurer), Russ Whyte and Michelle England.

Here's another important announcement: The library has moved its website. The new address is http://www.marshallpublib.org. The site is still under construction but is fully functional.

Finally, I am pleased to announce that The Marshall Democrat-News and the library have collaborated with the Washington Missourian to offer you monthly book title suggestions for those of you who are looking for something new to read. Each of these titles are available at the library.

The following is reprinted with permission of the Washington Missourian, copyright 2007.

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Touching story of a life-long love affair

The adoration Calvin Trillin had for his wife Alice sings on the pages of "About Alice," a tribute to the woman Trillin refers to as his muse.

Though she never smoked, Alice underwent surgery for lung cancer when she was 38, and the couple's daughters were 4 and 7. Facing the disease with her signature optimism, Alice underwent treatment and enjoyed a full life for the next 25 years.

But in the spring of 2001, just weeks before her daughter Abigail's wedding, an X-ray showed that immediate bypass surgery was required. The radiation that had bought Alice time had damaged her heart and arteries. She was able to attend Abigail's wedding, but Alice died a few months later, waiting for a heart transplant.

With a light touch, Trillin offers snippets of stories that reveal Alice's character and qualities. How "very pretty" Alice was; how she was "the voice of reason despite her marginally goofy husband," and how she possessed "a child's sense of wonderment."

Trillin's memories of his adored Alice burn bright in this beautifully written testimonial.

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Novel proves a life of crime just doesn't pay

A steamy crime novel set in Chicago will heat you up on a frigid, wintry night. "The Blade Itself," by first-time author Marcus Sakey is a quick read you won't be able to put down.

The first graph sets the rocket-pace and establishes the conflict between the two main characters: "The alley wasn't as dark as Danny would've like, and Evan was driving him crazy, spinning the snub-nose like a cowboy on some Sunday matinee."

Danny's in over his head, all he wants is a few extra bucks, but when he hooks up with his childhood friend Evan to knock off a pawn shop, the deal goes bad. Evan's greed plays its card. The hothead goes ballistic and shoots the pawn shop owner. Danny takes off, escaping before the police get there, leaving Evan to take the heat.

Fast forward seven years -- Evan, now hardened by his time behind bars, is released from prison and has it in for Danny. Evan wants to use him in a heist and draw him back into a life of crime. But Danny's gone straight, has a good-paying job, a longtime girlfriend. The last thing he wants is to get involved with Evan. But his old friend has other plans.

A cast of seamy characters, high speed chases, blackmail, and a kidnapping -- "The Blade" will cut into your night's sleep, that's for sure.

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Paralysis Just a Bump in the Road for Rucker

"The Best Seat in the House, How I Woke Up One Tuesday and Was Paralyzed for Life," is a memoir about how television writer and author Allen Rucker learned to deal with the aftereffects of transverse myelitis.

Paralysis didn't ease itself into Rucker's life. One day he was a driven, middle-aged Hollywood writer in debt up to his ears; the next, a sudden attack of unexplained, excruciating pain rendered his legs useless. For the past eight years, Rucker has used a wheelchair.

Rucker's account of the rare disease TM, and acceptance of what he refuses to call a disability, isn't a Pollyanna story with magic answers and quick fixes. It's a humorous and honest look at one man's journey to come to terms with the hand that life has dealt him.

"The Best Seat" is an eye-opener, and Rucker doesn't mince words. He knows how he wants others to view and treat him, certainly not with pity.

"It's not a curse or the pockmark of eternal damnation," Rucker writes. "It's just physical change."

New books

Fiction

-- "Past Perfect" -- Susan Isaacs

-- "Irish Linen" -- Andrew Greeley

-- "Sisters" -- Danielle Steel

-- "Aunt Dimity Goes West" -- Nancy Atherton

-- "Innocent in Death" -- J.D. Robb

-- "Edge of Winter" -- Luanne Rice

Non-fiction

-- "About Alice" -- Calvin Trillin

-- "First Into Nagasaki" -- George Weller

-- "Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style" -- Christine Schwab

-- "Treehouses & Playhouses You Can Build" -- David & Jeanie Stiles

Library events

Preschool Story Time -- each Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Games, stories, crafts. Appropriate for children approximately 3 to 7 years old.

Pajama Story Time -- each Monday at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Wear your jammies or come as you are. Games, crafts, stories.

Wee Ones Lap Time Story Time -- for babies up to 24 months old, each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Interactive finger play and song time for mothers and babies.

How can I support the Marshall Public Library?

Bring your receipts from Patricia's into the library when you're returning or checking out books. Each month, Patricia's Foods will donate a portion of the collected receipts to the library.

When purchasing items from Amazon.com, use the link to Amazon that appears on the Marshall Public Library's website: http://www.marshallpublib.org. A portion of your purchase will go to support the library.

Consider joining Friends of the Marshall Libraries. Membership forms are available at the library.

Honor a mentor. Celebrate a friend. Commemorate an event.

A gift to the Marshall Public Library is a unique and enduring way to pay tribute to friends and family.

Your generosity will be a lasting source of joy and enrichment for the community.