Books Blog

Whatever you love to do or have been wanting to try, we've got you covered. If you love to camp, you may want to check out Camping Colorado: A Comprehensive Guide to Hundreds of Campgrounds by Melinda Crow.

Or maybe you're looking for some fun, interesting hikes? These guidebooks may be right up your alley:

I would describe him in the most literal sense as an "Hip Hop Artist." Justin Bua brings us an excellent critique of some of Hip Hop's greatest. His discourse on Hip Hop's Legends instantly took me back to that place we called the Student Union at Metropolitan State College talking Hip Hop over slices of pizza and soda.

Justin incorporates a Hip Hop narrative while reflecting on the affects of Hip Hop on his life. His colorful portraits of Hip Hop's great artists appeal to that "inner Hip Hop" in all of us who grew up during that era.

While it seems that summer will soon be over, with school starting up soon and the weather cooling down a bit, it's still warm enough to crave an ice pop after work or school on a hot day! They can be as simple as blending together fruit, water, sugar, and lemon juice and freezing it or as creative as strawberry basil or any other combination that sounds good to you! They can be healthy or decadent, or even just for grown ups!

Can you imagine carrying four bowling balls around with you all day -- from the moment you wake up until you get back into bed? I can and I did. I've still got a long way to go, but I'm celebrating those four bowling balls. And a half.

Particularly for brand new preschoolers and kindergartners, as well as for other children who have never been to school, the first day can be a time of wondering and worry as much as anticipation and excitement. A great way to soothe fears as well as celebrate this new experience is to share a picture book about beginning school, the first day of school, and other school-related experiences.

For first-day fears, try these titles to help reassure children:

The Denver Public Library has many of Julia's cookbooks, along with biographies of her and books written by those she worked with and inspired, not to mention DVDs of her show The French Chef. Julia came to cooking later in her life, and her years before she moved to France and learned to cook are also interesting to read about. How will you celebrate Julia's birthday?

DVDs:

Julia Child, The French Chef

I fell in love with David Rakoff's writing when my friend, Ron, told me that he thought David and I were alike in our cynicism, pessimism and (I suppose) in utilizing them to get a laugh. Shortly after that, I received all of David's books in the mail; my friend decided I should find out for myself. 

I've read 8 out of 11 (I'm embarrassed to admit that the ones I haven't read are the "classics"). How many have you read? Did they get the list right? Would you take any out? What would you add? And, most importantly, which one of the ones I haven't read (in bold) should I read next? Maybe we'll make it a Geeks Who Read Book Club selection for 2013!

Dark Gold by David Angsten
While tracking down his missing brother in Mexico, Jack Duran stumbles across the mystery that might have been his brother's downfall: a mysterious treasure-laden shipwreck, rumored to be protected by some sort of underwater monster.

On Saturday, August 4 at 2 p.m. at the Bear Valley Branch, Dr. Ballard will be discussing his book Commander and Builder of Western Forts: The Life and Times of Major General Henry C. Merriam, with particular emphasis on General Merriam's relationship with nearby Fort Logan. Merriam was the first real commander of Fort Logan, and had the longest tenure as fort commander.