Read, review, win with new library program

Are you a loyal John Grisham fan? Are you following the alphabet with

Sue Grafton’s mysteries? Or maybe you enjoy a good romance. Whatever

your reading interests, you can continue your literary adventure this

summer by joining the Adult Summer Reading Program.

Just mosey on over to your nearest branch library and register for

the Lone Star Reading Program. If you are at least 18 years old, you

can register at the Balboa, Corona del Mar or the Mariners Branch

Library from June 28 through Aug. 20. After you’ve saddled up at a

branch, you will receive blank book-review sheets that you will use

to record your own review of each selection and will turn in to the

library.

All submitted book reviews will be available to read at all

branches. And each time you submit a review, you will qualify for a

weekly chance to win a coupon for a free library rental video or DVD.

With luck, you may even win a special Newport Beach Public Library

Foundation canvas bag.

The Mariners Branch will also offer a weekly trivia question

contest for all adult-summer-reading participants. For each answer

submitted, you can qualify for similar weekly-drawing prizes.

Here are a few book recommendations:

If you enjoy historical fiction, Tracy Chevalier, author of “Girl

With a Pearl Earring,” has written a new novel, “The Lady and the

Unicorn.” Although the origin of these existing tapestries is

unknown, Tracy does a wonderful job of weaving a fictionalized

account of whatever facts are known with an imaginative tale. Today,

these famous medieval tapestries depicting a lady and unicorn hang in

the Cluny Museum in Paris.

If you’re interested in a nonfiction book, try “Three Weeks With

My Brother” by Nicholas Sparks. Sparks is renowned for his love

stories, but this time he has written a memoir. It is an account of

his three-week journey traveling around the world with his older

brother Micah. Along the way, the brothers reveal the mingled love

and tragedy of their lives.

If you’re in the mood for romance, Nora Roberts’ novel “Remember

When” revolves around a fortune of stolen diamonds. The heroine is

leading an ordinary life, in the small town of Angel’s Gap, as the

owner of an antique treasures and gift store. However, her past

catches up to her when her long lost uncle suddenly turns up in her

shop, leaving a cryptic warning before being hit by a car. It’s a

tale of secrets, deceit and romance.

So, if you would like to jaw with friends and acquaintances about

any favorite books you’ve read over the summer, come on over for the

grand finale celebration at 3 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Corona del Mar

Branch Library.

DID YOU KNOW?

Three well-known mystery writers will be at the Central Library on

Thursday as part of a mystery-authors panel in celebration of the

library’s 10th anniversary. Meet Patricia Guiver, Denise Hamilton and

Barbara Seranella at 7 p.m. in the Friends Meeting Room when they

reveal secrets of writing mystery novels.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Jana Colver, Corona del Mar Branch

Manager. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by

accessing the catalog at https://www.newportbeach

library.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of

the branch locations, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library

at (949) 717-3800, option 2.