At the library
Looking for something fun, entertaining, and mentally stimulating to keep you busy on that long trip this summer? Or do you want something to challenge you while you relax at the pool, or in your backyard hammock?
If games are your thing, then the Morgan Hill Library is your place. The library has a broad collection of challenging games and puzzles for your summertime pleasure.
The mathematical games and puzzles are found in the call number 793.74 on the library shelves. A sampling of library holdings are listed here. You may find others under the subject heading of “mathematical recreations”.
Searching for titles and placing holds from home is easy with your library card and PIN number. Go to the Library home page at www.santaclaracountylib.org and select “search our web catalog”. Select exact search from the menu tabs and type “mathematical recreations” under subject heading.
Or call the Library at 779-3196 to speak to a reference librarian.
Ancient Puzzles: Classic Brainteasers and Other Timeless Mathematical Games of the Last Ten Centuries by Dominic Olivastro
A collection of ancient conundrums and brainteasers done from a historical perspective. From ancient Egypt to the modern day, the author tries to explain how a particular puzzle arose in its particular time. A fascinating book that educates as much as it confuses.
A Gardner’s Workout: Training the Mind and Entertaining the Spirit by Martin Gardner
The articles span a wide range of topics. They include games of chance, word ladders and mathematical word play games, tiling puzzles, magic squares, computer and calculator “magic” tricks, and other mathematical puzzles.
Great Book of Math Puzzles by Philip Heafford
Put on your mental seatbelt and get ready for a mind-boggling excursion through mathematical history, symbols, circles, triangles, and a whole host of number puzzles. Spend hours racking your brain over this, the greatest collection of math puzzles, ever!
The Man Who Counted: A Collection of Mathematical Adventures by Malba Tahan
Here’s a delightful little book that combines the joys of mathematical recreation with some fine storytelling.
Mathematical Magic by William Simon
You’ll never tire of thumbing through this book from time to time and trying some of the author’s “magic” on yourself and/or your friends.
Time Travel and Other Mathematical Bewilderments by Martin Gardner
This book is another great collection of problems, discussions, and mathematical curiosities from Martin Gardner – and one of his best.
Questions and suggested topics for At the Library, which appears in Tuesday editions, should be directed to Nancy Howe, Acting Community Librarian, at nh***@**********************ca.us or by calling 779-3196.
