Books, Glorious Books

William "Bill" Ryczek, who by day is a banker but at night, his thoughts (often) turn to baseball. And, not just Yankees/Red Sox but the origins of the sport. Popular myth has it that Abner Doubleday created the game, an assumption that even the Civil War General denied and there has been a group of books in the past few years discussing the origins of the sport.

Mr. Ryczek, who is the President of the Middlesex County Historical Society Board of Directors, has just issued the final book in his trilogy about the early decades of the national pastime (surpassed in the past few years, in the minds of some people, by football and partisan politics.) "Baseball's First Inning" (McFarland & Company) covers the years of the 19th Century leading up to and through the Civil War and his extensive research will give lovers, fans and even disinterested bystanders an excellent feel for the origins of the game. (Click here to read an fine review of the book.)

This evening (12/03), the author will be signing copies of his latest book from 5 - 7 p.m. in Broad Street Books. Chances are good he'll read a excerpt or 2. The event is free and open to the public.

As for books of all shapes, sizes and subjects, the Friends of the Russell Library holds its Annual Holiday Book Sale Friday December 4 through Monday December 7 (except Sunday.) This is a great opportunity to find used books at an excellent price, items you can keep for yourself or pass on to friends at the Holidays. The event takes place in the Children's Activity Room and the hours coincide with the Library's hours of operation (Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Monday 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.)
The proceeds from this and all other Friends' activities go to fund special projects (such as the great Concert series) that the Russell Library produces. See, you can get lost in a book and do a good deed at the same time.