Need motivation to start writing your life story? Join this beginner's group to get tips and techniques from facilitator Penny Boozman. Writing assignment to prepare for this session is a one-page family story of any type. It can be shared with the group, but only if you wish. This meeting is Monday, May 21, at 2:30pm in the Women's Council of Realtors Conference Room on the second floor.

If you are tired of all the bad news in the world, stop and read Heroes for My Daughter by Brad Meltzer. Meltzer tells the stories of 60 remarkable people, each highlighting an admirable quality and each dedicated to making the world a better place. They range from two relatively unknown women collegiate baseball  players who are  listed as "Champions," to the "Unconventional" Temple Grandin, an autism activist. You will feel better about the human race for having read it.

On Tuesday, April 10, at 1:30pm the Pen and Paintbrush Book Club will meet at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts next door to the Barbara Bush Library to discuss two unusual books of local photographs: 

One is Houston Deco, by Jim Parsons & David Bush, which includes more than 100 color photographs showcasing the fine detailing on Houston's surviving Art Deco and Art Moderne structures. Author Jim Parsons will be present to talk about this book.

The second is Houston Then & Now, by William Dylan Powell, with black and white images from the Bayou City’s adventurous past alongside striking contemporary photography of its impressive present.

The themes in these books complement the current landscape exhibits at the Pearl Fincher Museum. To learn more about them, go to http://www.pearlmfa.org/  The Museum's Education Director Rosemary Hickman will provide a tour at the museum to highlight issues raised in the discussion. 

Mrs. Barbara Bush was a surprise story-teller for pre-school story time at the Barbara Bush Library on April 21. Mrs. Bush dropped by with her two dogs after the three had stopped to dedicate the Bibi and Mini-Me Bush Dog Park at Harris County's Pundt Park on Spring Creek Drive. Residents of Spring area now have a new place to take their four-legged friends. The new dog park is four acres, one of which is set aside for small dogs. The pups told the children that the park was GGRRReat!

Library customers are getting younger every day! In January, staff at the Barbara Bush Library were pleased to welcome Quentin Macala, son of Gina and Josh, who came to the library at 8 days old to get his own library card! His parents obviously know the importance of getting a young reader off to an early start!! Mom Gina is a former shelving assistant at the library, so young Quentin has a built-in fan club among the staff.

Title to Be Discussed: Madonnas of Leningrad, by Debra Dean. Date: Thursday, Feb. 23, 1:30pm, in the Earl Elliott Room. Repeated Friday, Feb. 24, 2:30pm, in the Women's Council of Realtors Conference Room. Summary:  Bit by bit, the ravages of age are eroding Marina's grip on the everyday. An elderly Russian woman now living in America, she cannot hold on to fresh memories, yet her distant past is miraculously preserved in her mind's eye. Vivid images of her youth arise unbidden, carrying her back to the terrible fall of 1941, when she was a tour guide at the Hermitage Museum in Leningrad. Next month's selection: Blood, Bones and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton.

Title to be discussed: Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom. Thursday, Jan. 26, 1:30pm, in the Earl Elliott Room of the Barbara Bush Library. Repeated Friday, Jan. 27, 2:30pm, in the Women's Council of Realtors Conference Room. Summary: Orphaned during her passage from Ireland, white Lavinia arrives on the steps of the kitchen house and is placed as an indentured servant under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate slave daughter. Lavinia attempts to straddle the worlds of the kitchen and the big house, but her skin color forever sets her apart from Belle and the other slaves. Next month: Madonnas of Leningrad.

Liz Reynolds (center), 2011 president of the Champions Women's Golf Association, presented the Barbara Bush Library Friends with a check for $2,800 at the association's annual awards brunch on Dec. 6. Each year the group selects a charitable organization in the community to support with group and individual gifts. Shown accepting the check are Nancy Agafitei, Branch Librarian, and Susan Greer, President of the Barbara Bush Library Friends.

Save the date for Whim2Weird, a great Young Adult Author event on Saturday, January 7, 2:00-4:00pm at the Forum of the Community Center across from the Barbara Bush Library. Authors Sophie Jordan, Joy Preble, C.C. Hunter, Christina Mandleski, Crystal Allen, and Mary Lindsey will be present to talk about and sign their books. 

Title to be discussed: My Reading Life, by Pat Conroy. Date of meeting: Thursday, Oct. 27, 1:30pm in the Earl Elliott Room. Repeats Friday, Oct. 28, 2:30pm in the Women's Council of Realtors Conference Room. Summary: Bestselling author Pat Conroy acknowledges the books that have shaped him and celebrates the profound effect reading has had on his life. Next selection: Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht.