The 2017 publishing season has been rich in new memoirs. Adult nonfiction readers might enjoy these as part of your summer reading.

“Give a Girl a Knife: A Memoir,” by Amy Thielen. James Beard award winner and chef, Amy Thielen writes a food memoir about her life growing up in northern Minnesota and her years working in the kitchens of famous New York City chefs. She harkens back to her mother’s influence in giving her a knife to peel apples. Both her mother’s French cooking and her grandmother’s German cooking influenced her style. She now lives and writes in a cabin back in northern Minnesota.

“Between Them: Remembering My Parents,” by Richard Ford. Pulitzer prize winning novelist Richard Ford turns his hand to nonfiction in this memoir of his parents and their influence on him, their only child. His father was a traveling salesman throughout the south, and his mother accompanied him until Richard needed to attend school. They settled in Jackson, Miss., where Richard and his mother waited for his father to return home on weekends. His love of his parents and his memories fill the book.

“Strangers Tend to Tell Me things: A Memoir,” by Amy Dickinson. The “Ask Amy” advice columnist writes about her family relations and experiences in small town Freeville, N.Y. This is a touching, open-hearted expression from a popular writer.

“You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me: A Memoir,” by Sherman Alexie. Novelist and poet, Sherman Alexie, writes his first memoir about his Spokane Indian mother, Lillian, who died in 2015. His reminiscences cover his emotions and mixed feelings about reservation life and his childhood suffering. The book melds thoughts about his mother with insights about his own life.

CHASKA LIBRARY

Carver County Anthology Live Read: 1:30-3 p.m., Saturday, June 10. Local writers will offer a sampling of their work as CC-TV records for airing. This event includes book signing by presenting authors.

Legos: 1:30-2:30 p.m., Monday, June 19. For ages 8 and up. Join us for Lego building fun at the Library! Bring your imagination, we supply the bricks.

CHANHASSEN LIBRARY

Robotics Demo: 1-2 p.m. Monday, June 12. For ages 6-13. Join us for a fun robotics demo. Presented by local area high school robotics teams.

A Touch of Magic: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 13. A children’s summer reading performance. A Touch of Magic Entertainment presents Oscar’s Big Break in an age-appropriate comedy program for ages 3 to 93.

The Eclipse is Coming to America: 6:30-7:30, Thursday, June 22. For the first time in nearly 40 years, on Aug. 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will be visible in the United States. Learn more about this historic solar event and where you can safely view the partial phase, which we will see from Minnesota. All attendees will receive a pair of sun-safe eclipse glassed. This program is presented by Ron Schmit, the observatory coordinator a Jackson Middle School in Champlin, and an astronomy educator for 30 years.

VICTORIA LIBRARY

Library hours: Through Aug. 25, Victoria Library Friday hours will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Storywalk and Summer Reading Kick-off: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Friday, June 9. Enjoy a self-guided StoryWalk at the Charlson Thun Community Bandstand, then come inside to sign up for the Summer Reading Program. For the storywalk, pages from a picture book are posted along a walkway. It’s a great way for kids to be outside and physically active while reading at the same time.

Fairy & Troll Houses: 1-3 p.m. Friday, June 9. For ages 6 and up. We will create miniature dwelling paces for fairies, trolls and other nature spirits. These whimsical abodes will be constructed with craft supplies, nature objects, and recycled materials. Exterior and interior furniture and decorative things will also be made for the comfort of our tiny magical friends. Students are encouraged to bring small twigs, acorns, bark and natural objects as well as recyclable materials that can withstand some time outdoors. Registration required.

A Touch of Magic: 1 p.m., Monday, June 12. A children’s summer reading performance by A Touch of Magic Entertainment.

Tween STEAM Maker Lab: 1:30-2:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 13. For ages 9-12. Fun hands on STEAM activities encouraging exploration, conversation, and curiosity led by trained teen volunteers.

Americana Sing-Along: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 13 behind the Victoria Library at the Charlson Thun Community Bandstand. Join us at the bandstand for an outdoor sing-along of American folk songs on the night before Flag Day.

Minecraft: 3-4 p.m. Wednesdays June 14-Aug. 9. (No July 5 event). For ages 8 and up. Explore, build together, or participate in a challenge on our Minecraft Edu server. Join us for an hour of play.

3D Printing for Kids 101: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, June 15.

GARDENING

Master Gardener Help Desk continues through Aug. 26 on Saturdays, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chanhassen, Chaska and Waconia Libraries. Bring your plant samples and insect of disease questions to any of these help desks. Carver/Scott Master Gardeners will help you diagnose problems and answer yard and garden questions.

TAILS FOR READING

Preschool and school age children are welcome to read books aloud to specially trained therapy dogs to encourage confidence in reading. Children read for a 15 minute session. Presented by North Star Therapy Animals.

Chaska Library: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Thursday, June 8.
Victoria Library: 3:30-5 p.m., Thursday, June 15.

READING PROGRAM

The Carver County Library Summer Reading program for children and teens runs through Aug. 15 at all Carver County Libraries. Books, programs, and activities are all part of the fun.

Register for our online summer reading program at carverlib.beanstack.org. Complete the summer learning activities and earn virtual badges to win books.

A print version of our summer learning activities is available to print out or pick up in the library. The library schedule offers many programs and performances listed in our summer reading brochures for children and teens. All programs are free.