DOWNEY - A silent book auction to benefit the Downey City Library ends Sunday.The auction is put on by the Friends of the Downey City Library and includes "some especially beautiful and interesting books" that can make good conversation pieces or holiday gifts. Up for auction: "The Complete Bible Handbook" (the most comprehensive guide to the Bible with more than 500 color illustrations); "John Ringling - Legacy of the Circus King" (the story of Ringling's Museum in Florida, home of his famous circus - includes vintage circus programs from the 60's); "Charles Dickens - Four Novels" (The Adventures of Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations); "Frank Sinatra - Behind the Legend" (considered the definitive biography and includes a set of 10 VHS tapes on his life and times); "Kindred Spirits - Meditations on Family and Friends" (poems and verse for all occasions); "Lighthouses - A Pop-up Gallery of Americas Most Beloved Beacons" (stories of some of the most famous lighthouses in the U.S.); "Ansel Adams - Images of 1923-1974" (beautiful full page and two-page spreads of some of his best work); "Southern California in the 50," "Rio L.A. - Tales from the Los Angeles River," "Southern Californialand - Mid-Century Culture in Kodachrome" (three books that give a look back at Southern California); "Techniques of the Great Masters of Art (13 technical consultants explain the works of 77 of the world's greatest painters); "A Family Christmas" (a collection from some of the world's greatest authors and statesmen, all in the spirit of Christmas and Thanksgiving); "Falling for Marilyn" (photographs that illustrate the beauty and allure that brought Marilyn Monroe both stardom and tragedy); and "Big Small Plates" (soups, finger foods, salads and sweets - recipes for all occasions). Books have opening bids from $5-$10 and are on display in the library lobby. Bids can be made through noon Dec. 14 on cards in the Friend's Bookstore, which is located in the young adult section of the library.

********** Published: Dec. 12, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 35