Bayou Bytes Blog

King, Kaiser, Tsar : Three Royal Cousins Who Led the World To War By: Catrine Clay For anyone interested in the psychological  analysis of three rulers in World War I,  King, Kaiser, Tsar:  Three Royal Cousins Who Led the World To War  is a must-read.  Queen Elizabeth II released to the public letters and diaries containing information about George V of England, Wilhelm II of Germany, and Nicholas II of Russia.  The author used those resources to provide a chronological  insight into the lives of the three world-changing cousins.  Unless the reader can't get enough of war strategy and such, the reader can flip through those few pages.  The remaining pages examine the family dynamics of the three royals which is sometimes  mind-boggling.  The author presenting the reality of the cousins' lives adds another dimension  to the causes of WWI.  The sixteen pages of photographs, the index of tw...

Everything Alice  by Hannah Read-Baldrey & Christine Leech This whimsical book has crafts and recipes that revolve around an Alice in Wonderland theme, sure to please crafty children and adults that like tea parties and all things Alice. The book starts off with information about the authors and a bit of history about Lewis Carroll, but quickly dives into the crafts, recipes, paper dolls, and games. Time for Tea Jewelry shows the reader how to make a charming bracelet, earrings, and necklace set using a dollhouse tea set, while the Mad Hatter Hats sections gives step-by-step instructions on how to make five fun hats. There are paper dolls of Alice and the white rabbit to print and dress up. Other highlights include tea set invitations, playing card bunting, and giant rose lights. Some crafts do require sewing skills, but there are plenty here that do not. Instructions along with lovely photographs, templates, and a resource guide are all included. Note: a child would nee...

Roses by Leila Meacham A generational tale set in east Texas, Roses tells of the stubborn obsession with family land that plagues members of the Tolliver family and their loved ones. Upon young Mary Tolliver's father's death, she inherits Somerset, a large cotton plantation, instead of her mother and older brother. Unwilling to sell it to make amends to her mother and brother, she is determined to honor her father's wishes to bring the plantation out of debt. This is the first of many decisions in which Mary chooses the land over loved ones, to her great regret at the end of her life. When finally making her own will, Mary makes the decision to sell the plantation, now a very large business, and leave the proceeds and not the land to her heir, her great niece Rachel. Thus saving her from making the same mistakes she herself made. Romance, affairs, war, depression, fraud, and familial struggles abound and are woven in such a way to keep the reader turning the page. Rec...

Looking for a new book to love? Come by the Central Library and check out our Blind Date with a Book display! The books are wrapped up tight so you won’t know the title or author. Browse the book “personal ads” and choose a reading match. Check it out, bring it home, unwrap it, read and enjoy! If you don’t like it, simply return it to the library—its feelings won’t be hurt! You’ll also have a chance to review your blind date and tell others what you thought. Who knows, you just may be lucky in love and find a new favorite author!