When librarian Debbie retired, she began volunteering with the Friends of Willow Glen Library (FWGL), her own neighborhood library. She knew FWGL has been able to purchase furniture, pay for special programs, and even enhance the library’s collections with its book sales proceeds.

One day, Debbie came across donations no one wanted to buy: Readers’ Digest Condensed books, with beautifully decorated hard covers. She'd heard there was a way to make a purse from a book, so she did what any librarian would:  research!  She downloaded patterns from the Internet and created prototypes to show the Friends. Now, besides selling books, the Friends handcraft one-of-a-kind purses; each takes about 12 hours to create. Book Purses were introduced to the public at the Friends’ April, 2011, book sale. Later, a line of E-book Reader Covers was added. To date, FWGL has sold 72 purses and e-reader covers.

FWGL relies on fabric, notions, and handles donations from members, Internet appeals (a local e-list and Freecycle), friends, and neighbors. Recently, the Friends have struck up a partnership with The Thrift Box on Lincoln Avenue, trading donated items that FWGL cannot sell for items like fabric and RDC books donated to the store. The WG Farmers’ Market and Comerica Bank have assisted with sales, advertising, and networking opportunities. Look for Book Purses and other items at your local Friends' next book sale.

I admit it; I am a sucker for NEW:  new experiences, new adventures, new skills.  As a brand spanking New Year approaches, I was inspired to dream of the possibilities by this fun book, You Can Do It!  The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls.  It dares the reader to try something they’ve always wished they could do and then gives them step by step instruction and encouragement from mentors in their areas of expertise.  Want to learn how to skydive?  Knit?  Fix a car?  Be a wine connoisseur?   There are enough exciting challenges here to keep things plenty lively in 2012.  I can’t wait to earn Badge #33- Surfing!!

Looking to expand your world further?  Check out the Dangerous Book for Boys, where you can learn to build a treehouse, play poker, or pilot a go-cart.  This book is also available in Spanish.

In The Daring Book for Girls, you can learn to build a campfire, read palms, or install a tree swing.   Also available in Spanish and as an ebook.

There are some doom-sayers who are claiming that the world is coming to an end on December 21, 2012.  Whether or not they are right, there are some other people who are taking it to heart in a joking way and creating a "bucket list" for 2012.  There's a facebook group if you'd like to join and I thought I'd share my own "bucket list" for 2012.

1.  Go to Alcatraz.  I've lived in the Bay area for 10 years now and I still haven't done the boat ride and tour of Alcatraz.  And before I go I need to read: Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko.  It is the story of a boy whose family moves to Alcatraz Island when his father gets a job as a guard there in 1935.

2.  Go to Disneyland.  I went when I was 2 years old and I hear I had a good time, but I frankly don't recall!  I have a lot of friends who still love to go to Disneyland as adults.  And before I go, I need to read: Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow.  This one is a free ebook download so I can use my ereader...

3.  Eat Cioppino.  This is apparently the most famous San Francisco Fish Dish.  I don't know what they're talking about because I've never tried it.  Bobby Flay did a Throwdown against Phil DiGirolamo from Phil's in Moss Landing for this dish and includes a recipe in his book: Bobby Flay's Throwdown.  There are a lot of restaurants who carry this dish so I don't think I'll have a problem here!

4.  Bike the Coyote Creek Trail.  This trail is 18.7 miles in total so I might take it easy and do it in a couple of sessions.  But I'd be able to get a scenic view of a lot of San Jose!  But first, I need to fix my bike up - I think I'll need to check out the Complete Bike Book by Chris Sidwells. 

5.  Wow!  I'm running out of good ideas for my bucket list!  Time to check out Newcomer's Handbook for Moving to and Living in the San Francisco Bay Area by Scott Van Velsor! 

Maybe you'd like to join me in creating a "bucket list" this year instead of a resolution.  Come up with some fun activities and give yourself a reading list too!  Let me know how it goes and Happy New Year!

The Printmaker's Daughter by Katherine Govier is a fictional autobiography of Oei, daughter of the now-famous Japanese printmaker Hokusai especially known for "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," one of a series:Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Artists Hokusai and Oei documented everyday life of the “floating world,” the entertainment and artistic district of Tokyo in the early nineteenth century before Japan was forced to open up trade with the Western World. Canadian author Katherine Govier concludes that Oei, both a dutiful daughter and an unconventional woman of her time, collaborated with her father at the end of his life, and that some of Hokusai’s later works were conceived and rendered by Oei. Govier brings to life the scenes depicted in the fascinating nineteenth century Japanese art.

Intrigued? Visit the book's companion website for more information.

Would you like to help families read together and break the cycle of low literacy? You can do that by donating a book to the Partners in Reading (PAR) book drive. One of the most important ways to ensure literacy in children is to read aloud to them every day and read together as a family. In order to do that families need books and home libraries. PAR encourages you to donate a book to help families read and learn together. Drop off your new book at the PAR office in the King Library or at your branch library. Mark it PAR book drive and know that you are helping families.

You can also visit Hicklebee's and buy your book there or you can donate online. For further inspiration you can look at the teen's book list and the kids' book lists. Below are some of the titles that have already been donated.

Read this San Jose Mercury News article about PAR's book drive to learn more.

Partners in Reading (PAR) is the adult and family literacy program of the San José Public Library. PAR's family literacy program, Together We Read, serves the children of PAR learners. PAR has a new book drive going on from today until Friday, January 20, 2012. We need you to donate new books to break the cycle of low literacy. When families read together they can grow and learn together. Bring new books for kids ages birth to 13 to your local branch library or to the PAR office. We especially need books for older kids. Thanks so much for your help!