BOOK OF THE MONTH

Since  the nineteenth century, the distinct tones of  Kīkā Kila, the Hawaiian  steel guitar, have defined the island sound. Here historian and steel  guitarist John W. Troutman offers the instrument's definitive history,  from its discovery by a young Hawaiian royalist named Joseph Kekuku to  its revolutionary influence on American and world music. During the  early twentieth century, Hawaiian musicians traveled the globe, from  tent shows in the Mississippi Delta, where they shaped the new sounds of  country and the blues, to regal theaters and vaudeville stages in New  York, Berlin, Kolkata, and beyond. In the process, Hawaiian guitarists  recast the role of the guitar in modern life. But as Troutman explains,  by the 1970s the instrument's embrace and adoption overseas also worked  to challenge its cultural legitimacy in the eyes of a new generation of  Hawaiian musicians. As a consequence, the indigenous instrument nearly  disappeared in its homeland. 

Kīkā Kila : How the Hawaiian steel guitar changed the sound of modern music
by John W. Troutman

Using rich musical and historical  sources, including interviews with musicians and their descendants,  Troutman provides the complete story of how this Native Hawaiian  instrument transformed not only American music but the sounds of modern  music throughout the world. 

• The  Organization of American Historians named Kīkā Kila the winner of the  2017 Lawrence W. Levine Award for the Best Book in American Cultural  History.

• The  Association for Recorded Sound Collections named Kīkā Kila the winner of  the 2017 Award for "Best Historical Research in Recorded Popular  Music."  

image and description from amazon.com 

image and description from amazon.com

Join us at the Gilman Library on Wednesday, August 16th, at 7:00 pm, when this author will bring an audio/visual presentation, followed by a Q&A session, to his book signing, in the Agnes Thompson Meeting Room on the lower level of the library.

Quetico Connection
by John Doelman


John Doelman's Quetico Connection brings  the personal experience of wilderness canoe tripping to you through  introspective poetry and connecting photography. Beauty and perfection  abound in the symmetry of pristine wilderness. Quetico Connection uses that catalyst in discovering the spiritual relationship that innately lives within nature.
Quetico Connection is  personal and deep, yet easy to read and easy on the eyes. If you have  been there you will be able to personally relate to most of the  poems/photos. If you haven't, you will either want to go or will look  for ways to create the same experience in your own life. In either case,  it will be an evocative piece for everyone who picks it up. 

image and description from amazon.com

Our BOOK OF THE MONTH FOR JULY is also the ALTON BOOK CHAT discussion title for August 8th, when author Karen Coulters joins the book club for an author visit. The public is invited.

Hope From Daffodils

by Karen Coulters

 A  novel of loss, intrigue, friendship, romance, and a fight for  justice.  Still reeling from her husband’s unexpected death, Sophie  Anderson  throws herself into her bridal bouquet business. With her best  friend  as her partner and emotional support, she’s well on her way to  turning  Proposals into the most sought-after wedding venue on the New  England  coast. When Sophie encounters Brady Owens, a burnt-out attorney  from  New York, Sophie enlists his help with her expansion project. As  their  romance blossoms, Brady discovers they’re bonded by a painful past  of  deception. With the truth coming to the surface, Sophie’s  vulnerability  increases. Determined to protect Sophie’s heart, Brady  begins a  personal fight for justice. But, is Sophie’s hope for the  future  already withered and wilted? 

image and description from amazon.com

See our display by the fireplace at the entrance to the John D. and Anna L. Williams Room, also known as the Adult Wing.

Modern Watercolor Botanicals: A Creative Workshop in Watercolor, Gouache, & Ink 

by Sarah Simon

Unwind  and get creative as you learn all about watercolor painting--one of the  fastest-growing activities for everyday adults who are looking for a  hobby to easily relax and relieve stress!

Modern Watercolor Botanicals is a comprehensive guide for all skill levels--beginner to  advanced--that teaches everything you need to know about watercolor  using easy-to-follow diagrams, pictures, and instructions. Learn how to  paint and advance your skills using pieces of beautiful, traceable  artwork, including detailed wildflowers, shade tropical leaves,  eucalyptus wreaths, and more.

Lessons in Modern Watercolor Botanicals include:

• Instructions for every skill level: beginner, intermediate, and advanced

• Easy-to-follow diagrams, pictures, and instructions

• Each lesson builds upon skills learned in the previous lessons

• 15 pieces of traceable artwork to paint, no drawing experience required!

• Lessons that promote focus and mindfulness and help you reduce stress through the enjoyment of the artistic process

• All you need to know to create frame-worthy masterpieces and thoughtful gifts

• Prompts, challenges, and ideas to take your creativity to the next level

Author  Sarah Simon (@themintgardener), a Seattle-based artist who leads  sold-out watercolor workshops across the U.S., shares everything she  teaches her students in this book. She also answers some of the most  common questions from watercolor artists at all levels:

• What tools do I need?

• How do I mix interesting colors?

• How do I create shape, movement, and definition in my piece?

• How do I find my own creative style?

Delve into Modern Watercolor Botanicals to develop your skills and form your own unique artistic approach to the world of modern watercolor!