tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061556472645630972024-03-15T20:10:00.865-05:00The Stack ReportRead about what's going on at Portland District Library and in the world of books.Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06955726761579722791noreply@blogger.comBlogger286125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-73420999416086695452024-02-29T20:02:00.002-05:002024-03-04T15:49:35.234-05:00Happy Leap Day! But why?<p style="text-align: center;"><i> Thirty days hath September,<br /></i><i>April, June, and November.<br /></i><i>All the rest have thirty-one,<br /></i><i>Except for February alone:<br /></i><i>It has twenty-eight days clear,<br /></i><i><u>And twenty-nine in each leap year.</u></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><u><br /></u></i></p><p style="text-align: left;">The first part of this poem is one that I recite every time I need to remember how many days are in a regular month; thirty or thirty-one. It's easy to remember February, even without the poem (which is good cause I actually needed to combine a couple traditional versions to make <i>this</i> one rhyme), because it's so unique.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Except it does prompt the question, "Why does February have fewer days than the rest? And why does it get an extra day every four years?" For that, we need to look at the rest of the calendar, and a little bit of its history.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Our current calendar, the Gregorian calendar, was put into effect in October 1582 by order of Pope Gregory XIII. Prior to this, the predominant calendar in Western world was the Julian calendar, which had been established nearly 1,600 years earlier by Julius Caesar, after whom it was named.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The Julian calendar was itself a reform of the Roman calendar system that had existed in various iterations for hundreds of years; there were originally ten months, Martius (March) through December (which means "tenth"), and a winter period where they didn't bother keeping track because it wasn't relevant to farming. At some point in the 7th century BCE, two more months were added to the end of the year: Januarius and Februarius.</p><p style="text-align: left;">At this point, there was usually an intercalary month (fancy way of saying "leap month") between February and March, and additional intercalary days were added as needed. At this point, most of the regular months had either 29 or 31 days, with February having only 28, since it was at the very end. The official number of days in the calendar was 355, tend fewer than we have now</p><p style="text-align: left;">The Julian calendar reform, named for Julius Caesar who implemented it, lengthened the months of January, Sextilis, and December by two days, bringing them to the modern 31, and lengthened April, Quintilis, September and November by one day, bringing them to the modern 30; this brought us up to today's number of 365. February remained at 28, but was granted an extra intercalary day every four years, bringing it to 28. Rome also adopted January 1 as the official first day of the new year.</p><p style="text-align: left;">There were a lot of issues at first; Julius was very specific about having the first leap day (five days before the end of February, back then) in the fifth year after the calendar was introduced, and then every fourth year thereafter. The Romans jumped the gun and started in the fourth year, and they had the leap year every <i>three</i> years instead. Then they went twelve years without a leap year, and in the year 8 BCE they finally figured it out.</p><p style="text-align: left;">So now, we have a standard of 365 days in a year, with 366 days every four years, giving us an average of 365.25 days per year. Plus, the Romans eventually renamed Quintis and Sextilis to July (Iulius, after Julius Caesar)) and August (Augustus, after Augustus Caesar). That's pretty much what we have now, isn't it?</p><p style="text-align: left;">Not exactly. See, the Earth's orbit around the sun takes approximately 365.2425 days, which breaks down to 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes and 12 seconds (give or take a little, because nature doesn't like following human rules). So even though 365.25 is very close to 365.2425, it's still a little bit too far over. It wasn't a big deal to the ancients, cause it was good enough for them to do what they needed to do.</p><p style="text-align: left;">But then Christianity rose to prominence, and the First Nicene Council in the year 325 dictated that every Christian should celebrate Easter at the same time every year. The date for this is determined by the "<i>computus</i>", a method of calculating the date which sets Easter at the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon after March 21, the fixed approximation of the spring equinox; the "full moon" in question isn't actually the full moon, but the <i>ecclesiastical </i>full moon, which was calculated according to the fixed 19-year Metonic cycle.</p><p style="text-align: left;">At any rate, this is where issues arose. Because the Julian calendar was slightly longer than the natural year, the date of the equinox (March 21) and the actual equinox started drifting further and further apart, which was seriously messing up the Church's ability to calculate the actual date of Easter. In 1545, the Council of Trent gave Pope Paul III to reform the calendar to bring the spring equinox back into alignment.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Over the next forty years, the <i>computus </i>was reformed to include a more accurate standard regarding the full moon (which I have to admit, I don't understand well enough to include here), and recalculations were made with regard to leap year. The most significant of these is that while every four years would be a leap day, years divisible by 100 would only be leap days if they were also divisible by 400. Hence, the years 1600 and 2000 were leap years, but 1700, 1800, and 1900 were not, and 2100 won't be, either.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Then they removed ten days from the calendar to make up for the drift over the past several centuries, so Thursday, October 4, 1582 was followed by Friday, October <i>15</i>, 1582, the first day of the Gregorian calendar. Of course, because the calendar was implemented by papal bull, it was only initially mandatory within the Catholic Church and the Papal states, which at the time were ruled by the pope. Because it was not recognized by anyone else, it would take years for it to become widely adopted as a civil calendar; Philip II of Spain was one of the first, adopting it at the prescribed date in 1582, and because he ruled over Spain, Portugal, and much of Italy, it had a profound impact on the rest of Catholic Europe. On the other hand, the most recent country to adopt it is Saudi Arabia, who only adopted the Gregorian calendar in 2016.</p><p style="text-align: left;">In the Americas, the Gregorian calendar was adopted in New Spain and New France in 1582, while the British colonies and the future United States east of Appalachia adopted it when Great Britain adopted it in 1752 - that was only 24 years before we became a country!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Thanks to the leap day reforms, the Gregorian calendar has an error of only about one day every 3,030 years, which is pretty darn good; the 3,030th anniversary of the Gregorian calendar's adoption will be in 4612, by which time, we might have invented an even better system (actually, I think a lot of people are already working on that).</p><p style="text-align: left;">Till then, though, we get to enjoy an extra day every four years, unless it's a new century. Hopefully those of us who are still around in the year 2100 won't be too disappointed not to have a leap day; too many is just as much of a problem as too few.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">If you want even more information on this topic, check out the Wikipedia pages for the Gregorian and Julian calendars, as well as the page for the <i>computus.</i></p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-25887219756682052432024-02-21T12:57:00.001-05:002024-02-21T12:57:36.218-05:00Portland Peppers - Perfect Pick!<p>Indoor planting season is upon us! Shannon, our sultana of the seed library, was kind enough to inform me that it's the perfect time of year to start a popular produce pick - peppers!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEZa0AqodbaFVKA86rss0JOBW-iDPeHjulW93C5ol9h0vCkyCL_82C5wY4-C6Sv5Av58OVN00vc6-jwwFVmPP9iTDvHdqOxh6UHoBBmb8EMOXK1ZeKqHhJiZPHuotUBFvIi5Jy_NXLuc3gMQmzP_96nzqfnZfNp1U2FOA89aWTlxrA119HHGIQjW0YhM/s4032/IMG_7980.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEZa0AqodbaFVKA86rss0JOBW-iDPeHjulW93C5ol9h0vCkyCL_82C5wY4-C6Sv5Av58OVN00vc6-jwwFVmPP9iTDvHdqOxh6UHoBBmb8EMOXK1ZeKqHhJiZPHuotUBFvIi5Jy_NXLuc3gMQmzP_96nzqfnZfNp1U2FOA89aWTlxrA119HHGIQjW0YhM/s320/IMG_7980.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even the seed packets look tasty!</div><br /><p>Starting seeds indoors is easy! Or at least, so I'm told. I did not inherit my mother's green thumb, so I look to the experts, instead. But here's what they have to say!</p><p><br /></p><p>1. Give yourself time. Check your local weather service, gardening co-op, etc. to find out the last expected frost date for your area. Count backwards from there to find out the best time to start your seeds: it can take between 3 to 15 weeks for your seedlings to grow big and robust enough to replant outside.</p><p>2. Prepare your containers. Seeds can be planted in any shallow container that's about 2½ to 3 inches deep, with drainage holes (we don't wanna drown the poor darlings). They make special containers you can get in the gardening section, but you can make your own if you get creative.</p><p>3. Provide nutritious soil and sunlight. There are soil mixes you can buy that have extra nutrients added for starting seeds. As for sunlight, you want to set them in a location that stays between 65 to 75 degrees, with between 12-14 hours of light a day. If they don't get enough light, they could become "leggy" (tall and spindly without many leaves).</p><p>4. Ready your plants to go outside. Move them into a shady spot outside for a few days, then move them into a sunny spot a few hours each day. If the risk of frost has past, you can plant them outside after one or two weeks. (Don't rush!)</p><p><br /></p><p>If you're interested in giving your seeds a head start, take a look at these articles for more information:<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/a30753842/how-to-start-seeds/">https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/a30753842/how-to-start-seeds/</a> (Similar info to what I put above, but with more detailed info);</li><li><a href="https://www.almanac.com/content/starting-seeds-indoors">https://www.almanac.com/content/starting-seeds-indoors</a> (Less detailed instructions, but with a great list of seeds that can/should be started inside).</li></ul><div>As for seeds, well, come on in and check out our seed library to get things started!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What are you looking forward to planting this spring? Do you have a green thumb, or do you leave the gardening to others?</div><div><br /></div><div>Let me know in the comments!</div><p></p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-62347017832001519432024-02-14T08:51:00.000-05:002024-02-14T08:51:31.261-05:00Be Mine... or Actually, Don't<p>Valentine's Day is the season of love, they say. I'm sure everyone's seen the Valentine's Day hearts, chocolates, cards, etc. on display at our local stores for the past couple of months. I thought Christmas creep (you know, Christmas sales that start in September?) was bad enough, but I saw the Valentine's Day themed snack cakes go up for sale on December 18th...</p><p>So maybe, just maybe, these prolonged holiday sales seasons are diminishing a bit from the sentimental value of the holiday. And if you're not big on sentimentality or commercialism, then the holiday as a whole probably starts to stick in your craw a bit.</p><p>Enter the uniquely and quintessentially Victorian-era phenomenon: the vinegar Valentine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar_valentines#/media/File:Vinegar_Valentine_01.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="701" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5XY57UT9OfooWxF1IcYQHQESDyagvw7phg3HDntVnhhYoFMxkz90fdFVnz1LiSP0BqkWm1E_s5HyO2B_YCAz7PQ4rNvL92h3z6uwsxHd_OvQvdYy96h_kNZK3q3zwl4e0IXMMVHKgd-RhIggIE8sPG9_2aI-yg0QiaMQihmRnPzBN5bOKdErACFGN3s/s320/Vinegar_Valentine_01.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This Valentine, for example, describing the recipient's smile as ridiculous in the eyes of the sender.<br />(Image courtesy of <u>Wikipedia</u>.)</i></div><br /><p>According to Annebella Pollen in her paper, <span class="fontstyle0">‘”The Valentine has fallen upon evil days”: Mocking Victorian valentines and the ambivalent laughter of the carnivalesque’</span>:</p><blockquote><p><span class="fontstyle0">Mocking valentines covered a vast range of ‘types’ and could be sent to neighbours, colleagues and members of the local community as well as to wanting and unwanted partners. Each was designed to highlight a particular social ill, from poor manners and hygiene to pretentiousness and alcoholism, sometimes with astonishing cruelty.</span>
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />(from Abstract)</p></blockquote><p>Pollen goes on to explain the ways that these cards, in the context of the socially permissive atmosphere around Valentine's Day, often used very pointed humor as a means of social control.</p><p>Imagine how mad you must be at someone to go to the effort of buying a card specifically to shame or insult them! It's no wonder that not many of these have survived to be seen today - if I received such a card, I certainly don't think I'd be saving it to remember later.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1986/02/14" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="900" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAqOzPvh6JIJdH03isIGY8q6NF0-nKEIM5FoetHkq2oe2jw0VzpDsZqNQXteysSUKs8fWU8a5SQDd_R42gt6NO668Scd6dJrv50MQ1GkcnNZiGYV9GVml4oNqjqauhvT8TixL5rddgXLpAB0IcLCpDNFaiXGCZzAtE-CxXed1xPhn6_NH0TlqVKR9UmU/w507-h160/ch860214.gif" width="507" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I'm not sure that "he likes me" is the typical takeaway from these sorts of Valentines...<br />(<u>Calvin and Hobbes</u> by Bill Waterson )</i></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><p>Of course, to those who have no love for Valentine's Day, or at least no one special to share love with, such cards might be a novel and amusing concept. And who knows? Maybe not everyone looked at them as pointed insults, but rather playful jabs to be shared between family and loved ones. Think less of bullying and more of playful banter.</p><p>In any case, it's equal parts funny and reassuring to see that, even in the days before Facebook, YouTube, and other online forums, people have always left mean, anonymous comments, and somehow we've all managed to keep moving forward.</p><p><br /></p><p>What do you think? Are vinegar Valentine's a fun way to poke fun at your friends, or just plain mean? Should Hallmark come out with a "vinegar" line of greeting cards? What other unconventional things do you think we should do on Valentine's Day?</p><p>Let me know in the comments!</p><p><br /></p><p>(If you would like to know more, here is the bibliography for the research paper I referenced earlier:</p><p>Annebella Pollen (2014) ‘The Valentine has fallen upon evil days’: Mocking Victorian valentines and the ambivalent laughter of the carnivalesque, Early Popular Visual Culture, 12:2, 127-173, DOI: 10.1080/17460654.2014.924212<br />Citation copied from publisher.<br />Regrettably, PDL is not currently able to make the full text of this article available to patrons.</p><p>However, you can also find additional information on Wikipedia, which also cites the same article, here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar_valentines )</p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-74891843613796966972024-01-23T16:37:00.001-05:002024-01-23T16:37:10.575-05:00Library Updates for 2024<p> Hello again to our beloved patrons, and if I haven't seen you yet, happy new year!</p><p>We're most of the way through January already. 2023 already feels like a long time ago, doesn't it? And yet I swear it was just 2010...</p><p><br /></p><p>At any rate, while things have been quiet on this blog, they have been quite busy behind the scenes here at PDL! Patrons and staff have both been enjoying the Winter Reading Program - we've given out plenty of warm beanie-style hats (with our iconic PDL logo!) to adults who have finished their reading, and the Youth Department has been having fun with their weekly prize drawings. There's still one left, being drawn on January 29th, so you still have time to get the kids' tickets in!</p><p>Of course, as will all good things, the program must come to an end. We will no longer accept tracking tickets after 2:00 pm on <b>Saturday, February 3rd</b><i>. </i>We still have a bit over a week until then, so get reading if you want your chance to win a grand prize drawing!</p><p><br /></p><p>We've also been hard at work deciding and designing programs for our upcoming Spring calendar, which will be made available on March 1st. (That's a day later than usual because of Leap Year - I hope we can all wait that long!) I, for one, am very excited to see what our creative staff has come up with for our patrons to enjoy. Maybe I'll even try and sneak a peak at the schedule and share what I find out...</p><p><br /></p><p>And as always, our book collection has been receiving some much needed attention. I'm sure many patrons have noticed our shelves in the adult fiction collection - some of them stuffed full to bursting, while others have been emptied considerably. What's that all about?</p><p>Well, our intrepid director Cory has been hard at work weeding our collection to make sure there is ample room for everyone to find exactly what they need. It's a bit of a tough process, but a necessary one - as I learn more, I plan to take all our readers on a tour of this aspect of caring for our collection!</p><p>Of course, we might end up removing some favorites from the shelves, but never fear - those that are still in good shape will make their way into our used book room, which our resident Bookworm has been toiling to make better than ever. If you haven't been down there recently, I encourage you to check it out. There are plenty of old favorites and hidden gems down there that would love a spot in your own home library!</p><p><br /></p><p>I think that's all I have time to report on at the moment. I'll keep an ear to the ground and my eyes between the stacks to bring you even more behind-the-scenes glimpses into our library and the services we offer!</p><p><br /></p><p>What would you like to know more about our library? Is there anything coming up or that we've done in the past that you'd like to share?</p><p>Leave a message in the comments! We'd love to hear from you!</p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-77876428024247476752023-11-28T17:03:00.000-05:002023-11-28T17:03:40.010-05:00Flu Season - also, COVID Tests are Here!<p>It's that time of year again. It's getting cold outside and we're starting to feel the effects of the dry air. We're huddling up inside in close proximity, and before you know it, the whole house is sneezing and coughing.</p><p>Yup. Flu season.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMZXWS5pAEa3KMMKPA2GbHVL24mOEu6AiZDvw0iZhZmAdLnHnCi7Xw14EmJTFHnfcF7QTY9b0MoCEclox8EUmaFaYrHP7FgIJuX69MOuIhXf4cyoEinmJQyCbzwYassHzip9qKLXEyEyelAALRgi9iv_TJjxbPB3F0k7nbTVGAbMrkZM0JnntwWMM02o/s612/istockphoto-1204382208-612x612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMZXWS5pAEa3KMMKPA2GbHVL24mOEu6AiZDvw0iZhZmAdLnHnCi7Xw14EmJTFHnfcF7QTY9b0MoCEclox8EUmaFaYrHP7FgIJuX69MOuIhXf4cyoEinmJQyCbzwYassHzip9qKLXEyEyelAALRgi9iv_TJjxbPB3F0k7nbTVGAbMrkZM0JnntwWMM02o/s320/istockphoto-1204382208-612x612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Getting the flu is always unpleasant, but there are ways to make it less so.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Read on to find out ways to ready yourself for this annual nuisance, and how to help prevent catching it or spreading it to others - just remember that none of this is a substitute for medical advice from a qualified and licensed professional.<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><b>1. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.</b></p><p><span> One of the simplest of gestures, this can seriously help keep people healthy. By covering your mouth and nose whenever you cough or sneeze, you keep your germs from spreading in the air. This is true for everything from the flu to COVID-19 to common colds.</span><br /></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span><b>2. Wash your hands often.</b></span></p><p><span><b> </b>Even if your hands "aren't dirty", it's a good idea to wash them before you handle food, touch your face, or if you've been touching things other people have been touching. That way, you can be sure that any germs you encounter don't have a chance to get into your system.<br /></span></p><p><span><span> This can have the unfortunate side effect of drying out your skin, so treat yourself (or ask Santa to treat you) to some quality hand lotion to keep your skin healthy and comfortable.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><b>3. Be mindful of possible exposures.</b></span></span></p><p><span><span><b> </b>When your kids are coughing, or you've just been to dinner with a friend who suddenly came down with a cold, take note. It's possible that you could have been exposed to germs without realizing it.<br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span> </span>There's always the chance you won't get sick, but being aware of possible contagion gives you a chance to prepare for some potential down time.</span></span></p><p><span><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><b>4. Check your temperature.</b></span></span></p><p><span><span><b> </b>If you're not feeling good, go ahead and take your temperature. The flu and COVID both have a tendency to bring fever with them, so an elevated temperature can be a sure sign that you're sick with something you shouldn't muscle through.<br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span> It's also a good idea to take your temperature when you're feeling well, so you have an idea of how hot or cold you normally run; this will make it easier to detect any changes. Some people have body temperatures that fluctuate throughout the day, though, so don't panic if it's higher or lower than last time.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><b>5. Wear a mask.</b></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><b> </b>Masks are nobody's favorite accessory, but they are pretty helpful to keep your mouth and nose covered if you know you're under the weather (see point 1). They're widely available and come in all kinds of patterns - a lot of folks probably still have them from when they were mandated during the pandemic.<br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> If we got 'em, we might as well use 'em!</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>6. Rest and hydrate.</b></p><p><b> </b> Again, this is a simple tip that can still make all the difference. When you're sick, your immune system goes into high gear to protect your body from the harmful effects of the infection. Many, many different parts of your body are involved in this process, which can also mean that it takes a lot of energy.<br /></p><p><span> If you're sick, then not only are you going to be more tired than usual, but trying to use too much energy will also make it harder for your body to make itself well again. For this reason, it's very important to rest and let your immune system do its job.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> Because of the resources your body needs to use, it's also very important to stay hydrated and eat foods with lots of nutrients. A little junk food might bring a bit of joy, but if it doesn't have nutritional substance, it might not help things that much, and too much might make you feel worse in the long run, especially if you're having tummy troubles.</span><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>7. Get vaccinated.</b></p><p><b> </b>Sadly, there is no cure for the common cold, but the flu and COVID-19 both at least have a vaccine to help prepare your body for potential infection.<br /></p><p><span> If you haven't already, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated for this year's flu strain and getting boosted on your COVID vaccine. Your doctor will be able to explain the benefits and risks, help ease any concerns you may have, and help you decide if it's right for your body and your health.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> When it comes to doing your own research on vaccines, make sure you double check the science behind people's claims. Are the claims based on current research with multiple studies? Are the claims coming from people who are relying on emotion to be convincing? Health matters are important, so many folks have very strong feelings on the subject; make sure that the information you're getting is based on facts, not just feelings.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><b>8. When in doubt, ask your doctor.</b></span></span></p><p><span><span><b> </b>Unfortunately, we at the library are not equipped to give medical advice. While these common sense tips can be helpful, they are no substitute for medical advice from a qualified and licensed professional. If you ever have any doubts about your health, be it from illness or injury, you should always make an appointment with your doctor.</span></span></p><p><span><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span>Thankfully, Ionia County has a very low infection rate for COVID-19 at the moment, but with flu season coming around, the risk of catching and spreading COVID is also increased. It can be hard to tell the difference between the two, but to make it a bit easier, the library has just been approved as a distribution site for free COVID-19 tests!</span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt9rg_e_LAf8OCQMRWUmlaT60c3x1J98M4GGANvg8qlWCBjERdzOJsKPWicFvzhJ5ZQs3yClXCzxx5K034q24-XxkkgTQ8uqn6qy7xJfaJX2ruwMojhpSJz8JFG1z3_lqQfD6ZO2sdIWhWgfOtFc_qkglAjK8OCTU_BPhaOlIeIXLTmrX70dnAtGhOF8/s894/61R+R+uANnL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="894" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt9rg_e_LAf8OCQMRWUmlaT60c3x1J98M4GGANvg8qlWCBjERdzOJsKPWicFvzhJ5ZQs3yClXCzxx5K034q24-XxkkgTQ8uqn6qy7xJfaJX2ruwMojhpSJz8JFG1z3_lqQfD6ZO2sdIWhWgfOtFc_qkglAjK8OCTU_BPhaOlIeIXLTmrX70dnAtGhOF8/s320/61R+R+uANnL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is what the COVID test packages look like.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Every test comes with a set of instructions for best use and what to do after; if you get a positive result, get a negative result but still have symptoms, or are just not sure about the accuracy, we always encourage you to follow up with your doctor.</span><br /></div><br /><span>Patrons can get up to one box of tests per person in their home each day, up to five tests. There is no tracking or sign-up required; you can just come on in and ask any staff person for one at the circulation desk.</span><div><br /></div><div>We also still offer curbside pickup, so if you're feeling unwell and don't want to come into the building, just give us a call. We can get items for you, check them out, and bring them to your vehicle when you arrive.<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Nobody likes getting sick, but following these tips will hopefully make it easier for everyone to stay healthy and make any illness that does come up a bit more bearable. Do you have any tips that help you stay healthy, or that make you feel better when you're unwell?</p><p>Share your tips and thoughts with us in the comments below. I hope you all stay healthy!</p></div>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-18936230558799406592023-11-04T09:45:00.000-05:002023-11-14T16:17:54.304-05:00National Novel Writing Month<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Did you know that November is National Novel Writing Month?</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5224587e-7fff-d287-9f1d-09c678169edb"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://nanowrimo.org/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="620" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokd_CEfG5Laa_7hccvtiW3KSpGQLjBu0Dg3DnQSY2jHIFSMf2pOJ_FQUHIqR0uR1KfCkqjK_-ZyhYthBjnyIh_cpcLKqeKkn4JRnq6ttpc2KFlFxcVG2wuRhpCCIdoj09RfvSYeyz2eIo735Q_fwM2P2nmjxq0U7MfT72yXMA8ipSr5lMlKL_zKTw710/s320/what-is-nanowrimo.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's even an official non-profit NaNoWriMo organization.</div><span><br /></span></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Every year, thousands of writers (amateur and professional both) sit down on November 1st and begin working on a daunting challenge: to write an entire novel in just 30 days.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Technically, according to the official rules set forth by the NaNoWriMo (that's National Novel Writing Month abbreviated, by the way) organization, you need to write 50,000 words of original fiction, which doesn't </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">necessarily</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> mean writing an entire finished novel. Still, 50,000 words is a lot; assuming you type single-spaced in a normal 12 pt. font, that's around 100 pages. For additional context, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Great Gatsby</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> by F. Scott Fitzgerald is around 48,000 words in length.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When the month is over (or their word count goal is reached), many writers simply leave it at that and move on. Others will continue writing, go back and edit their manuscripts, and get their hard work ready to submit to a publisher.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There are folks out there who have published their very first novels after doing a NaNoWriMo challenge. How cool is that?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The really cool thing about NaNoWriMo is that it's community-oriented. Writers in different areas will often form small communities and gather for camaraderie, conversation, and additional challenge, such as setting a timer and seeing who can write the most words before time runs out. These gatherings can be held anywhere; someone's home, a coffee shop… your local library… (Hint, hint.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The official NaNoWriMo organization allows anyone ages 13 and over to sign up for the challenge, and there are additional programs available specifically for writers ages 17 and under. Their website also has tools for finding or creating groups in your local area to encourage each other, bounce ideas back and forth, and make new friends along the way.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That being said, no one ever said you have to sign up with the program to challenge yourself to write a novel. Nor do you have to do the full challenge to start out! Do you want to aim for a full 50,000 words? Do you want to aim for 1,000, or 5 million? The choice is yours!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you'd like to challenge yourself to write this November, remember that the library has plenty of peaceful spots to set up and get words on the page. Bring your own laptop or use one of our public computers (we even have two laptops that can be checked out within the building). Work on your own, or ask about renting the community room if you get a group together.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you'd like more information on the official challenge or the nonprofit that runs it, check out their official website <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do you think you'll try to hammer out a novel this year, or perhaps in the future? Do you like working alone or in groups? What exactly </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">is</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> a novel, anyway?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let me know what you think in the comments!</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-79497815611381103692023-10-25T09:10:00.000-05:002023-10-25T09:10:12.930-05:00Book Review: Such Sharp Teeth<p> It's been about a year since I read <i>Such Sharp Teeth</i> by Rachel Harrison and I still find myself thinking about it from time to time. Especially now that Halloween is coming up.</p><p>(Okay, sure, I read it in December, but winter is as good a time for werewolf stories as fall. Better, even, since it's too cold to go out and frolic in the woods in search of real ones.)</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXlLDlgBuwAQ9BiRu2yhqfdVhrpd3vfjBJjgiliHshJ46ryT8hfWd9bg5ur4OiGfO9XY564JdUoI-n2AdtjjJAUDVLHrj9AmsgANDsR-1koM253XxJEhAxp5aW0GTqf4SD4FZGSW0FAi2YZSHMnrzMYKKi9BrUm3sv01sVb_dWBxYain8uIrNNBUXMeU/s400/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXlLDlgBuwAQ9BiRu2yhqfdVhrpd3vfjBJjgiliHshJ46ryT8hfWd9bg5ur4OiGfO9XY564JdUoI-n2AdtjjJAUDVLHrj9AmsgANDsR-1koM253XxJEhAxp5aW0GTqf4SD4FZGSW0FAi2YZSHMnrzMYKKi9BrUm3sv01sVb_dWBxYain8uIrNNBUXMeU/s320/index.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you like books, then you may be pleased to know this is a book.</div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The story follows Rory (Aurora) Morris, a young woman who begrudgingly moves back to her hometown to help her twin sister, Scarlett, who is expecting a baby. While she is there, she is attacked by a creature in the night - as she recovers, she finds herself slowly changing - she's growing stronger (supernaturally so), developing a strong craving for meat, and developing an aversion to silver.</p><p>Savvy readers will recognize these as hallmark traits of a werewolf. This will likely not be much of a surprise to those who read the first part of this post where I mentioned werewolf stories, but I'm not going for shock value, here.</p><p>The story doesn't treat this like some huge surprise twist, either. If I remember correctly, Rory knows werewolf stories and is able to piece together what's happening to her (though the reality of the situation is naturally unsettling). Rather, the story follows her emotional transformation as well, as she navigates not only her physical transformation and everything that comes with it, but also her duties as a sister and soon-to-be aunt, and deals with the more metaphorical monsters that haunt her memories of her hometown.</p><p><br /></p><p>I really liked this book. It provided a fresh take on the classic story of a werewolf without changing too many of the traditional details (nobody in this one sparkles or becomes supernaturally attractive, for example), while weaving it together with the story of a woman who, despite her fantastical circumstances, is down-to-earth and relatable.</p><p>Her story is not unfamiliar to many women, and I'm sure nearly everyone has things in their past they have trouble grappling with. Just as Rory is able to transform her werewolf curse into a source of emotional strength, we have the ability to grow from our own circumstances and become strong in our own way.</p><p><br /></p><p>It's also just a really well-written book.</p><p><br /></p><p>I highly recommend this title, during the Halloween season or any other. I first read it back in December, and I'll likely end up rereading it within the next year (definitely not this month because I already have a stack of unread library books at home... oops).</p><p>We do have a copy available at the library, so if you'd like to read it, come on in!</p><p><br /></p><p>What do you think? Is this a book you'd like to pick up? Let me know in the comments.</p><p>If you've read it and feel like I missed or misconstrued something, let me know that, too! Did you love it? Did you hate it? Did it put you to sleep?</p><p><br /></p><p>Tell me, please!</p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-77781482227701953682023-10-04T10:45:00.007-05:002023-10-10T15:23:27.267-05:00Horror Movies! (that started as books)<p> Halloween tradition dictates that one spend at least one evening in the month of October watching scary movies. Or at least, <i>I</i> think it does. And even if you're not a Halloween fan, there can be no doubt that sometimes, it's fun to get good and scared with a good movie (or TV show), a cozy blanket, and maybe a bowl of popcorn.</p><p>Alas, it is the observation of many a horror fan that sometimes, the plot of their scary movie pick just isn't that good. Now, some might not mind having thrills and chills at the expense of the story, but we here at PDL deeply enjoy a good narrative, so... what to do?</p><p>Well! I, your fearless (usually) blogger, have taken it upon myself to identify the surest marker of good storytelling in a horror movie: films that are based on horror <i>books</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QTJvWyFIpO0XVyGmoesMF-kWpKPsHh7zrydtvq9B_TuT1LLL5eENKBJl3Du5tSQ5SU-NRsUVrLM8dZXHIJl9F0MTJaizr5BWrObYZmxBGpQfYoW4VBWNVlMOTHK_Xxg8wGla8m03BGQMkZ4OXmn-9LYBNiIY9UEoz-5rRfUX2owmebCWA9V1oqOiZYc/s1664/horrormoviebookspostr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1664" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QTJvWyFIpO0XVyGmoesMF-kWpKPsHh7zrydtvq9B_TuT1LLL5eENKBJl3Du5tSQ5SU-NRsUVrLM8dZXHIJl9F0MTJaizr5BWrObYZmxBGpQfYoW4VBWNVlMOTHK_Xxg8wGla8m03BGQMkZ4OXmn-9LYBNiIY9UEoz-5rRfUX2owmebCWA9V1oqOiZYc/w428-h285/horrormoviebookspostr.png" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be not afraid of boring stories with cheap scares, and focus more on, uh... being afraid... of... what's happening on screen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Read on, if you dare, and <i>trick-or-treat</i> yourself to these selections of horror-themed watchables that started off as books.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">N0S4A2 (TV series)</span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Based on the book by Joe Hill, <i>N0S4A2 </i>(pronounced "Nosferatu", like the vampire) follows Victoria "Vic" McQueen in her quest to defeat the dangerous Charles Manx, an immortal who feeds off the souls of children. Vic is the only child who ever escaped his clutches, and now that she is an adult, she must contend with Manx's revenge plot - which begins with kidnapping her eight-year-old son.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>N0S4A2 </i>received a television adaptation, with the book's plot being spread across 2 seasons. Check these out if you want supernatural thrills that endure more than a single dark night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">You (TV series)</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>You</i> is another television series, originally picked up by Lifetime and continued by Netflix. It's based on the series of novels by Caroline Kepnes, which begins when bookseller Joe Goldberg falls in love at first sight with aspiring writer Guinevere Beck. What starts as a crush turns to obsession, as Joe does everything in his power to learn everything there is to know about Beck in a desperate bid to win and keep her affections... no matter who or what stands in his way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While lacking in the supernatural, the dramatic tension and twists will nevertheless keep you on the edge of your seat. Season two is based on Kepnes's second novel, <i>Hidden Bodies</i>, and while further seasons do diverge from the books, the series maintains parallels between the two media.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Doctor Sleep (2020 film)</span></i></p><p>Any horror film buff is certainly aware of, if not familiar with, <i>The Shining</i>, both the acclaimed novel by horror master Stephen King and the film adaptation by exacting director Stanley Kubrick, in which Jack Torrance, accompanied by his wife Wendy and his son Danny, overwinters as caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, and is possessed by the ghostly litany of violence that haunts its halls. Wendy and Danny are threatened not only by Jack's descent into madness, but the ghosts that are attracted to Danny's ability, a telepathic second-sight known as "the shine".</p><p><i>Doctor Sleep </i>picks up with Dan Torrance, now an adult and still struggling to deal with both his supernatural "gift" and the trauma he endured at the Overlook Hotel as a child. Earning the nickname of "Doctor Sleep" due to his ability to soothe patients receiving hospice care, his attempts at a peaceful existence are foiled when he meets Abra, a young girl who possesses an even more powerful version of his own extrasensory powers, and finds that he must defend her from the True Knot, a paranormal cult that wish to exploit her powers for their own ends.</p><p>My own Halloween reading list starts with <i>Doctor Sleep</i>, and if the film has even half the impact of its prequel, then an eerie and supernatural experience awaits.</p><p><br /></p><p><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Interview with the Vampire (TV series)</span></i></p><p>Gothic horror abounds in this title, based on the novel of the same name by Anne Rice. <i>Interview with the Vampire</i> follows Louis de Pointe du Lac as he narrates the events of his long life - or more accurately, undeath - as a vampire in the company of fellow vampires Lestat de Lioncourt, who turned Louis, and Claudia, who was also turned by Lestat as a young girl and is doomed to forever inhabit the body of a child.</p><p>Fans of this title may recall the 1994 film adaptation starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. Regrettably, we do not currently possess a copy of this particular film, but we <i>do </i>have the first season of the more recent AMC adaptation. Unlike the 1994 film, this adaptation explores racial issues over the decades and embraces the queer elements of Rice's work, as Louis and Lestat's romantic/sexual relationship was only ever hinted at in the older film.</p><p>The Gothic horror elements serve as a backdrop for Louis's own internal struggles with morality and mortality, and certainly make for a rich, haunting experience.</p><p><br /></p><p><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Renfield (2023 film)</span></i></p><p><i>Dracula</i> by Bram Stoker is an enormous influence to this day as a pioneer of vampire fiction. Based on the author's own research into European folklore, <i>Dracula</i> made icons of vampires and established many of the genre conventions.</p><p>The film <i>Renfield</i>, on the other hand, is a significant departure from the other entries on this list due to the fact that it is, in fact, a horror-<i>comedy</i>. The titular character does star in the original novel as Dracula's thrall, a man driven mad and consigned to an insane asylum due to his obsession with vampirism and immortality, who wrestles with his own desires and morality as Dracula calls upon him to do his bidding. This version of Renfield, however, is depicted less as a madman, and more as an overworked and overtaxed personal assistant. After long centuries of doing his master's bidding, Renfield is ready to move on to other pursuits; however, quitting your job as Dracula's aide is easier said than done, putting aside Renfield's own issues of codependency.</p><p>Even if you're not a vampire buff or <i>Dracula</i> scholar, this film is sure to entertain for no other reason than starring the incomparable Nicolas Cage as literature's most famous vampire.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>So, what do you think? Are any of these titles tempting enough to put on your horror night watchlist? Or would you rather delve into the original books, and let your mind wander through the haunted passages therein? Let us know in the comments!</p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-16255316557920519322023-09-30T08:00:00.000-05:002023-09-30T08:10:51.773-05:00Autumn Chills & Domestic Thrills<p> October is here at last, and with it begins what is affectionately known as the "spooky season". Ghosts, werewolves, vampires... There are all sorts of terrors lurking in the dark ; sometimes, on a dark and stormy night, the only place you really feel safe is in your own home, surrounded by your loved ones.</p><p>But... <i>are you?</i></p><p>I'm sorry to say that the following list is not for those seeking comfort while tucked cozily into their beds. Rather, these domestic thrillers (compiled with the help of our own Ms. Shannon) will leave you questioning whether home really is a safe place, after all.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0khyZo9I_R-46WK1TEGBiBL-eekzSpuA5yV-Vz0b472cH1xh9V5se8R7vVG-mwka5jzRHUlRTOm9XfS53l5w8pAswWkWcNcZ1x1Q9k9-fjt_r8H9rUlsEY58mXMyeQtiz9ev0h60Xk_a9zHDE_ETyU_sStCgIVlYwWtyfTR0WALc3XoRj4x-01XUtyo/s940/e0be3fa1-2e23-4a93-be6d-a86b36f0ad8f-spooky-homes-around-the-world-abandoned-home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="940" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0khyZo9I_R-46WK1TEGBiBL-eekzSpuA5yV-Vz0b472cH1xh9V5se8R7vVG-mwka5jzRHUlRTOm9XfS53l5w8pAswWkWcNcZ1x1Q9k9-fjt_r8H9rUlsEY58mXMyeQtiz9ev0h60Xk_a9zHDE_ETyU_sStCgIVlYwWtyfTR0WALc3XoRj4x-01XUtyo/s320/e0be3fa1-2e23-4a93-be6d-a86b36f0ad8f-spooky-homes-around-the-world-abandoned-home.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Sometimes, a haunted house is less scary than one that's lived in.</i></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPILmX-4mOdOHbO1wEMPnan3-H7qVveJMFcVtz76zAnPc_y6jk_ZSGbxXjMNO028935oqs9eKtNhWVi3m6zdTKZ69EFGXKHsG3Cpulnxzk_ian8hzXfoJlV9M0zV5J_TXbzSZmssWf4qHszci7GnKWB5gatmMAlB9hbU9Xjtu4xqFSvYPLjM6VJ_roLc/s400/our%20kind%20of%20cruelty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="266" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPILmX-4mOdOHbO1wEMPnan3-H7qVveJMFcVtz76zAnPc_y6jk_ZSGbxXjMNO028935oqs9eKtNhWVi3m6zdTKZ69EFGXKHsG3Cpulnxzk_ian8hzXfoJlV9M0zV5J_TXbzSZmssWf4qHszci7GnKWB5gatmMAlB9hbU9Xjtu4xqFSvYPLjM6VJ_roLc/s320/our%20kind%20of%20cruelty.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Our Kind of Cruelty</i> - Araminta Hall (FIC HAL)</li><ul><li>"This is a love story. Mike's love story. Mike Hayes fought his way out of a brutal childhood and into a quiet, if lonely life, before he met Verity Metcalf. V taught him about love, and in return, Mike has dedicated his life to making her happy. He's found the perfect home, the perfect job, he's sculpted himself into the physical ideal V has always wanted. He knows they'll be blissfully happy together. It doesn't matter that she hasn't been returning his emails or phone calls. It doesn't matter that she says she's marrying Angus. It's all just part of the secret game they used to play. If Mike watches V closely, he'll see the signs. If he keeps track of her every move he'll know just when to come to her rescue."</li></ul></ul></div><div><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODejD-jXH0SKVA5KD7G-r9MOmm-xQ-K_a49Kh-qycgN7JHg3fhsQx6EHNrupnp9kR32ywG2WWRlDqkG5ROx7omUA0asKsZKnDf4UsT68YEEYe0GyLU7nQeHtR1NIW7XauJgfZbmH4G9QjkYQT2x3fL8Wrt8z_PwEAIopnClOT9zyxbZUJ5b5MSQHQ7kM/s400/verity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODejD-jXH0SKVA5KD7G-r9MOmm-xQ-K_a49Kh-qycgN7JHg3fhsQx6EHNrupnp9kR32ywG2WWRlDqkG5ROx7omUA0asKsZKnDf4UsT68YEEYe0GyLU7nQeHtR1NIW7XauJgfZbmH4G9QjkYQT2x3fL8Wrt8z_PwEAIopnClOT9zyxbZUJ5b5MSQHQ7kM/s320/verity.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Verity</i> - Colleen Hoover (FIC HOO)</li><ul><li>"Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of the night her family was forever altered. Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents could devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue loving her."</li></ul></ul></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzwWB7k0eW6AbbeZVJ4413yx30GjB9vpK7uP7_ma8VoIXSVruSM2RpSciW1vL-heQPdQUYeJ6TqcFoOIFZNWEf4nKvorkCZNDRdORtkjma3YNPHuA8TvIPFnxZELjcx9HY5Il8_3YS19RNHQVLwQjAygq1DrxC5H4aahNofMJnEoxxmet23WdwiTeujk/s400/arrangement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzwWB7k0eW6AbbeZVJ4413yx30GjB9vpK7uP7_ma8VoIXSVruSM2RpSciW1vL-heQPdQUYeJ6TqcFoOIFZNWEf4nKvorkCZNDRdORtkjma3YNPHuA8TvIPFnxZELjcx9HY5Il8_3YS19RNHQVLwQjAygq1DrxC5H4aahNofMJnEoxxmet23WdwiTeujk/s320/arrangement.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>The Arrangement</i> - Kiersten Modglin (FIC MOD)</li><ul><li>"When Ainsley Greenburg realizes her marriage is at its breaking point, she devises a plan to repair it, no matter the cost. The rules are simple: they will each date someone new once a week, and they will never discuss what happens on the dates. Her husband, Peter, agrees almost immediately. Soon the rules are broken, with terrible mistakes and unspeakable consequences."</li></ul></ul></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9MES3gllRvKQeD2d8ZwcPKd9Ms8LqPvzpargZtzyTK_CuTJDJnRBhpc8rqZ3DQANIOJa002no14Az98qh47a2wi-qdOSJ-g264GggipjPjSILnIbNbxw5ACmcv7zEHcjdgTFSSCA5l-zhk0XtKYoRACoPNkv0s43xBjC3AItNCxsjJJ8dYm_2VKS910/s400/favor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="263" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9MES3gllRvKQeD2d8ZwcPKd9Ms8LqPvzpargZtzyTK_CuTJDJnRBhpc8rqZ3DQANIOJa002no14Az98qh47a2wi-qdOSJ-g264GggipjPjSILnIbNbxw5ACmcv7zEHcjdgTFSSCA5l-zhk0XtKYoRACoPNkv0s43xBjC3AItNCxsjJJ8dYm_2VKS910/s320/favor.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>The Favor</i> - Nora Murphy (FIC MUR)</li><ul><li>"Staying is dangerous. Leaving could be worse. Leah and McKenna have never met, though they have parallel lives. They don't-ever-find themselves in the same train carriage or meet accidentally at the gym or the coffee shop. They don't-ever-discuss their problems and find common ground. They don't-ever-acknowledge to each other that although their lives have all the trappings of success, wealth and happiness, they are, in fact, trapped. Because Leah understands that what's inside a home can be more dangerous than what's outside. Driving past McKenna's house one night, she sees what she knows only too well from her own marriage: McKenna's "perfect" husband is not what he seems. Leah decides to keep watch over McKenna, until one night, she intervenes, and sets into motion events that will change both their lives forever. Leah and McKenna have never met. But they will"</li></ul></ul></div><div><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPubASwWRfqkop1U0q1xk32yf1H58hM6cCCzoYQrhooupYGunEwPZw89KDa6YoH7ykPaGN5GMUCIo5LZ_ff8GxMlf3Xxpf4GrcxeASgSVnHWMVyRlLWDBKkkv_T08BZAbLkPaFVLSJmhI9-iQUm-vtwoZ0aia1JzIQMI3ej9ugwFHqYFcNmEKKiBAbq4/s400/behind%20closed%20doors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPubASwWRfqkop1U0q1xk32yf1H58hM6cCCzoYQrhooupYGunEwPZw89KDa6YoH7ykPaGN5GMUCIo5LZ_ff8GxMlf3Xxpf4GrcxeASgSVnHWMVyRlLWDBKkkv_T08BZAbLkPaFVLSJmhI9-iQUm-vtwoZ0aia1JzIQMI3ej9ugwFHqYFcNmEKKiBAbq4/s320/behind%20closed%20doors.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Behind Closed Doors</i> - B.A. Paris (FIC PAR)</li><ul><li>"Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You might not want to like them, but you do. You'd like to get to know Grace better. But it's difficult, because you realise Jack and Grace are never apart. Some might call this true love. Others might ask why Grace never answers the phone. Or how she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn't work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. And why there are bars on one of the bedroom windows? Sometimes, the perfect marriage is the perfect lie."</li></ul></ul><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-WJI7Kh6X2O_tTcSDpVUbwN9YpmNM3DQ5DJdlGxi8TNMk-Mixx7kr4FtXM1OovNZuUfwxV2CuDRHay4sQYMxOE3KAvE-DQpRfuKWaSy6UZxXpow_gUqWsH1TdHgte01TdnwYDJCzCqbXJcx2Xstdj7V1pgbIYOmegrVpzQhj7F8Vhd4XoImXpMegjrs/s400/best%20day%20ever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-WJI7Kh6X2O_tTcSDpVUbwN9YpmNM3DQ5DJdlGxi8TNMk-Mixx7kr4FtXM1OovNZuUfwxV2CuDRHay4sQYMxOE3KAvE-DQpRfuKWaSy6UZxXpow_gUqWsH1TdHgte01TdnwYDJCzCqbXJcx2Xstdj7V1pgbIYOmegrVpzQhj7F8Vhd4XoImXpMegjrs/s320/best%20day%20ever.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Best Day Ever</i> - Kaira Rouda (FIC ROU)</li><ul><li>"Paul Strom has the perfect life: a glittering career as an advertising executive, a beautiful wife, two healthy boys, and a big house in a wealthy suburb. And he's the perfect husband: breadwinner, protector, provider. That's why he's planned a romantic weekend for his wife, Mia, at their lake house, just the two of them. It will be the best day ever. But as Paul and Mia drive out of the city and into the countryside, a spike of tension begins to wedge itself between them. How perfect is any marriage, really? How much do they trust each other? Is Paul the person he seems to be? And what are his secret plans for the cottage weekend? Forcing us to ask ourselves just how well we know those who are closest to us, this story crackles with dark energy spinning ever tighter towards its shocking conclusion"</li></ul></ul></div><p></p></div>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-55114377397316635912023-09-20T11:45:00.042-05:002023-09-21T16:33:37.575-05:00Waiting for Hoover<p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One cool thing about working at the library is you get to see what people are reading. You also get to notice when a book is popular - a few books have spent weeks on the reserve list, being returned just to get marked for the next patron line.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One author I've seen repeatedly on our reserve shelf, and no more than twice in the actual fiction section, is <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author Colleen Hoover.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimopilfh8RiFqhTKP1UcKxFpMJH_DfvOviOxMndH_1BaMzy7nscmkK250bqhE-9XWAV5pOzJtpy72bYOX8isOhCel_OP8UF1q3p2dSkKHl55Cqq5xElmGK0v6pTDIcQhjVZhF53JokKjPYDKdBC1FmOgCyJIWXqL9-WVmEx5jTTN7mquYeeLHj7pzW9RA/s400/iewu.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="257" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimopilfh8RiFqhTKP1UcKxFpMJH_DfvOviOxMndH_1BaMzy7nscmkK250bqhE-9XWAV5pOzJtpy72bYOX8isOhCel_OP8UF1q3p2dSkKHl55Cqq5xElmGK0v6pTDIcQhjVZhF53JokKjPYDKdBC1FmOgCyJIWXqL9-WVmEx5jTTN7mquYeeLHj7pzW9RA/s320/iewu.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I honestly don't think there's another author for whom we have this sort of demand in the library. It's not like Hoover only has one or two books; we have twelve, yes <i>twelve</i>, of her books, and it is a very rare occasion that any of them are on the shelf. That's how popular she is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The best way to check one of these out is to reserve it, either through our <a href="https://atriuum.portlandmilibrary.com/opac/pdl/index.html#menuHome" target="_blank">online catalog</a> or simply by visiting us and asking a staff member for help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But what on Earth is there to read during all that waiting? Or what if, perish the thought, you've <i>already read</i> Hoover's books, and don't know what to read next?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, we at the library have got your back. Read on to see a handful of great titles to hopefully fill that gap in your book-loving heart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0151uJw7LVa0wqZl9RYkpwd0d5v57mg7XNNOsQ5b5bE73P0KCHQTLE3-UJ1zA3b7R4N9QMiz2pZnAKdTGKjhTmsqSBaC0niQ5V8Qqin2q6u3bjIbXExn7laxZ9tpZY5MCM_NRg-LEP6A1ITwHBAZ_U_R0LYzDyxSnE4YM4nmyyQhImlLqv9czn-IKGw/s400/spld.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="257" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0151uJw7LVa0wqZl9RYkpwd0d5v57mg7XNNOsQ5b5bE73P0KCHQTLE3-UJ1zA3b7R4N9QMiz2pZnAKdTGKjhTmsqSBaC0niQ5V8Qqin2q6u3bjIbXExn7laxZ9tpZY5MCM_NRg-LEP6A1ITwHBAZ_U_R0LYzDyxSnE4YM4nmyyQhImlLqv9czn-IKGw/s320/spld.jpg" width="206" /></a></div></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>The Spanish Love Deception </i>- Elena Armas (FIC ARM)</li><ul><li>"Catalina Martin desperately needs a date to her sister's wedding. Especially since her little white lie about her American boyfriend has spiraled out of control. Now everyone she knows--including her ex and his fiancée--will be there and eager to meet him. She only has four weeks to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic and aid in her deception. New York to Spain is no short flight and her raucous family won't be easy to fool. Enter Aaron Blackford--her tall, handsome, condescending colleague--who surprisingly offers to step in. She'd rather refuse; never has there been a more aggravating, blood-boiling, and insufferable man. But Catalina is desperate, and as the wedding draws nearer, Aaron looks like her best option. And she begins to realize he might not be as terrible in the real world as he is at the office."</li></ul></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZaBNx2-zpcAWOjrdWS5JzNJUkfNqrvWGdBBiBieDBOyc8WTnfEMpV8EglINVtkF7j40C4qhrisNTNX2YuC4GTuPdBEajPD8zeMk-531vFXBHLxE-6lYh9Gw7lpxIb_pGRBYKsnRcm_C7UyFg9GTCKpBt2F_0Gryw1NNybXsRiFCsgEOLj1LqzHkfqq4/s400/tle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="263" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZaBNx2-zpcAWOjrdWS5JzNJUkfNqrvWGdBBiBieDBOyc8WTnfEMpV8EglINVtkF7j40C4qhrisNTNX2YuC4GTuPdBEajPD8zeMk-531vFXBHLxE-6lYh9Gw7lpxIb_pGRBYKsnRcm_C7UyFg9GTCKpBt2F_0Gryw1NNybXsRiFCsgEOLj1LqzHkfqq4/s320/tle.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>The True Love Experiment -</i> Lauren Christina (FIC CHR)</li><ul><li>"Felicity "Fizzy" Chen is lost. Sure, she's got an incredible career as a beloved romance novelist with a slew of bestsellers under her belt, but when she's asked to give a commencement address, it hits her: she hasn't been practicing what she's preached. Fizzy hasn't ever really been in love. Lust? Definitely. But that swoon-worthy, can't-stop-thinking-about-him, all-encompassing feeling? Nope. Nothing. What happens when the optimism she's spent her career encouraging in readers starts to feel like a lie? Connor Prince, documentary filmmaker and single father, loves his work in large part because it allows him to live near his daughter. But when his profit-minded boss orders him to create a reality TV show, putting his job on the line, Connor is out of his element. Desperate to find his romantic lead, a chance run-in with an exasperated Fizzy offers Connor the perfect solution. What if he could show the queen of romance herself falling head-over-heels for all the world to see? Fizzy gives him a hard pass-unless he agrees to her list of demands. When he says yes, and production on The True Love Experiment begins, Connor wonders if that perfect match will ever be in the cue cards for him, too."</li></ul></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hPuHlLX5oh6tHcnCJctHuizWzHmPLcVwo96Y9J4g72gAmC4_afrnKBB_6gPs11JtDGSc7trwzP-MdQ76oXfxgqgmJWyCyWTpy5gZ7WqTLBgLzH9mqSbfMU8MDJltgspNqSJHcsPKz6yeC304YELWCXUF-6FOleZFyUbbJBSg1gqyrDSw0FPkU48sAY8/s400/mc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="266" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hPuHlLX5oh6tHcnCJctHuizWzHmPLcVwo96Y9J4g72gAmC4_afrnKBB_6gPs11JtDGSc7trwzP-MdQ76oXfxgqgmJWyCyWTpy5gZ7WqTLBgLzH9mqSbfMU8MDJltgspNqSJHcsPKz6yeC304YELWCXUF-6FOleZFyUbbJBSg1gqyrDSw0FPkU48sAY8/s320/mc.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Misconduct</i> - Penelope Douglas (FIC DOU)</li><ul><li>"Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students, trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn't important. She can't let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing. Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a living, breathing teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet...there is something about him that draws Easton in a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn. Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton's resolve--and reveal what should stay hidden."</li></ul></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmDUxqYRrZjRZwHFDKhOgAzeUJPvQYQOv5LI9klz6_JChA5jKdZhgy6IARiADklxnnVydZNptF2nKXVnQy79iOZJbtACliQTlTvC7dE5jcV4mybhqrBwMvto1D7yH2txpaZTH0U2-TnCLEzxqpFH4Ka3kWq5FfJEG3irkSFaIPIOVQ3eNn-9o30PI0u8/s400/lh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="266" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmDUxqYRrZjRZwHFDKhOgAzeUJPvQYQOv5LI9klz6_JChA5jKdZhgy6IARiADklxnnVydZNptF2nKXVnQy79iOZJbtACliQTlTvC7dE5jcV4mybhqrBwMvto1D7yH2txpaZTH0U2-TnCLEzxqpFH4Ka3kWq5FfJEG3irkSFaIPIOVQ3eNn-9o30PI0u8/s320/lh.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>The Love Hypothesis - </i>Ali Hazelwood (FIC HAZ)</li><ul><li>"When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman's carefully calculated theories on love into chaos. As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships--but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees. That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor--and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding...six-pack abs. Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope."</li></ul></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH42I2Ovf6ylsCU40uihF9HFf9mD9C9RcZyvS8y9CGYrSGMKzwh605S7phFlh4BDa80rzA78vddJAgQAC-1VCcvYHOlX8K4rqHmR7hMRK4pyUvARlk_WS6K-HGpR47OAZiri-fYKGjnMnlP_C5R4Cx6EdT3HOaJeoNmqDvlMiPraxEAqdWWVJd0oqPcKQ/s400/ggc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH42I2Ovf6ylsCU40uihF9HFf9mD9C9RcZyvS8y9CGYrSGMKzwh605S7phFlh4BDa80rzA78vddJAgQAC-1VCcvYHOlX8K4rqHmR7hMRK4pyUvARlk_WS6K-HGpR47OAZiri-fYKGjnMnlP_C5R4Cx6EdT3HOaJeoNmqDvlMiPraxEAqdWWVJd0oqPcKQ/s320/ggc.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> <i>Good Girl Complex -</i> Elle Kennedy (FIC KEN)</li><ul><li>"Mackenzie Cabot has spent most of her twenty years pleasing the other people around her so she is going to Garnet College in the expensive beachside town of Avalon Bay in South Carolina when she would really rather focus on her growing internet business; Cooper Hartley is a local boy who usually tends bar and disdains the rich, spoiled college kids he sees every day--but MacKenzie and Cooper fall for each other, until money and family come between them."</li></ul></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span>Last, but certainly not least:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKiF7-d7y8nGKxVav8BsZiCe04YrHpTnmwZ0I1qLf-1oR5pp4Z2sAxQ_5GunOT5qNyU8ncizUc-XFurBizFW9odX4fo7bQh4llV4ET0e7bl-qJk0qlZ-Th_cDHYIxnW01zVWtRNJ7fx4DmxBJ-rLpvelbSY2zE9cShFbAgSxsX2XVUjos54wL2zVm_bA/s400/too%20late.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="266" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKiF7-d7y8nGKxVav8BsZiCe04YrHpTnmwZ0I1qLf-1oR5pp4Z2sAxQ_5GunOT5qNyU8ncizUc-XFurBizFW9odX4fo7bQh4llV4ET0e7bl-qJk0qlZ-Th_cDHYIxnW01zVWtRNJ7fx4DmxBJ-rLpvelbSY2zE9cShFbAgSxsX2XVUjos54wL2zVm_bA/s320/too%20late.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Too Late</i> - Colleen Hoover (FIC HOO)</li><ul><li>"Sloan will go through hell and back for those she loves. And she does so, every single day. Caught up with the alluring Asa Jackson, a notorious drug trafficker, Sloan has finally found a lifeline to cling to, even if it's meant compromising her morals. She was in dire straits trying to pay for her brother's care until she met Asa. But as Sloan became emotionally and economically reliant on him, he in turn developed a disturbing obsession with her - one that becomes increasingly dangerous every day. When undercover DEA agent Carter enters the picture, Sloan's surprised to feel an immediate attraction between them, despite knowing that if Asa finds out, he will kill him. And Asa has always been a step ahead of everyone in his life, including Sloan. No one has ever gotten in his way. No one except Carter. Together, Sloan and Carter must find a way out before it's too late..."</li></ul></ul></div><div><br /></div>Yeah, that's right. I put Colleen Hoover on the "books to read while waiting for Colleen Hoover" list. We just got it in, and it's already on reserve, so get your name on that list... before it's <i>Too Late</i>. (Eh? Eh?)</div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>So, Hoover fans, how'd I do? Let me know in a comment if you've read/enjoyed any of these books. Or, if I've missed the mark entirely, what books would you recommend for someone trying to get through a Colleen Hoover drought?</div><p></p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-38663259458871285262023-08-30T09:43:00.002-05:002023-08-30T09:43:24.591-05:00Back to School<p>Well, it's that time of year again. The youth department is quiet once more, until classes let out and students flock from their school building to ours, desperately yearning for more education...</p><p>Okay, yeah, that's probably not what's happening. But school in Portland has started up again, and we miss the kiddos already! Luckily, there's still plenty of time for the library after school, especially when you consider us part of the curriculum!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_b0VXhE607c4leL2DPj_eiqR9xxOiuhiflZwAsMu3ZrnIMFOdsnMyj_-QSqfrUx8bpnbI5qwIe81ImmsfNDQjUwBpy3KmlaNTkZdWCS5hUnfQfdTv4R7lMocOhfGKseRd3zPQJwxgcxLZ3hQTeB8g0JXg307w6EdYsRSo4X-nvg4tExfwTTTSkUPYx8/s1286/10-winning-designs-from-the-back-to-school-graphic-design-contest-picsart-blog.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1286" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_b0VXhE607c4leL2DPj_eiqR9xxOiuhiflZwAsMu3ZrnIMFOdsnMyj_-QSqfrUx8bpnbI5qwIe81ImmsfNDQjUwBpy3KmlaNTkZdWCS5hUnfQfdTv4R7lMocOhfGKseRd3zPQJwxgcxLZ3hQTeB8g0JXg307w6EdYsRSo4X-nvg4tExfwTTTSkUPYx8/s320/10-winning-designs-from-the-back-to-school-graphic-design-contest-picsart-blog.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I wonder if there are any teachers who don't like apples.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've got one of my own at home (starting third grade already!) and it's been a bit of an adjustment. Thankfully, we haven't had to worry about any homework or tests or anything yet, but experience tells me it's going to be a bit of a struggle to focus while sitting at the kitchen table with distractions all around.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is where the library comes in handy! Though we are far past the days of shushing every patron who makes so much as a peep, the library does tend to be a more peaceful place than many - perfect for sitting down with a book or some notes and getting your study on.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Do grade schoolers still do book reports? (No, seriously, do they? I'm hopelessly out of touch.) Well, at any rate, we've got books! Need to do a research project? Try the non-fiction section, or ask a librarian for help finding web-based sources!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This isn't even to mention that all our books and programs are a <i>fantastic</i> way to help reinforce lessons learned both in and out of the classroom.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This isn't just for the younger kids, either. Tweens and teens can use our space and resources for their own projects and test prep, and even college students if they don't feel like hanging around campus to get things done. I know I could never study at home during any of my years of education, so having a quiet but familiar spot away from home is seriously helpful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So if you (or one of your young ones) could use some study space away from home, come on in. It's just one of the many wonderful things we have to offer!</div><p></p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-89010930683412519722023-08-08T15:23:00.002-05:002023-08-08T16:22:34.087-05:00Books We... Hated!?<p>Those of you stopping in to the library during the month of August may find an unusual display in the adult reference area.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_gBKwb6I9ez-6SMFUrr0dlTGTXl4rDBVGxAQ877TeG6jXjNsO-r2KCrgXCRWw1hqpZbo5UjOMr-t1O9o-7n8grkqcpvdHNEai24ubRd2k5560DjJsW4fXfpFJiH0AU64LR2BdQGFcW2-O7mvUsrUCDDwWHBYk3zRTaP6-QXAnQgFcp4O-x8UGB6RbzY/s1650/books%20we%20hated%20sign.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1650" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_gBKwb6I9ez-6SMFUrr0dlTGTXl4rDBVGxAQ877TeG6jXjNsO-r2KCrgXCRWw1hqpZbo5UjOMr-t1O9o-7n8grkqcpvdHNEai24ubRd2k5560DjJsW4fXfpFJiH0AU64LR2BdQGFcW2-O7mvUsrUCDDwWHBYk3zRTaP6-QXAnQgFcp4O-x8UGB6RbzY/s320/books%20we%20hated%20sign.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yeah, not every book's a winner.</span></div><br /><p>Truth is, not everyone likes every book. Even we, the dedicated book lovers and readers staffing the library, have those books that we just really don't like. From books we were forced to read in school as teenagers (like <i>The Great Gatsby</i> by F. Scott Fitzgerald) to so-called classics that seem to drone on and on without making much of a point (like <i>Moby-Dick</i> by Herman Melville) to a variety of otherwise popular novels that just didn't hit the spot for us, there's just as much to dislike as there is to enjoy in the library.</p><p>But that's where you come in!</p><p>Some of our least-favorite books might end up being your favorites! Or maybe there are books you can't stand that other patrons would love!</p><p>That's why this display is fully interactive - if you find a book in our collection that you didn't like or that you wouldn't even recommend to your annoying neighbor, feel free to let us know when you check it in that you'd like it displayed - or just bring it from the shelves to the reference desk if you happen across it!</p><p>(I'm sure it goes without saying, but we can only display library books that are currently in circulation. After all, how else are others going to discover their new best/worst book friend?)</p><p><br /></p><p>And if reading terrible books has left you hungry for just about anything to get the taste out of your mouth, check out our fill-a-bag book sale going on from today until August 18th! All the books/CDs/DVDs that you can stuff into a grocery bag for $2 - some from donations, and others recently taken out of our own collection.</p><p>Seriously, please help us make room for new books!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-13949166877784849882023-07-18T15:55:00.001-05:002023-07-19T11:03:53.578-05:00Busy Days at the Library<p> It's been a few weeks since I've been able to write a post on this blog, but there's been so much going on that I'm excited to finally have a moment to share some of what we have on our agenda!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpY2CtY5u3UYG7CIt1EKsm24zsKQTuhj6IMGBSbGml9FYjJCFldSewvda1hr50cDpAPoK1Fx_L5FYo_1jnyCZG27UVHk3Sq3I49EFGxAe51AbkmlcX8BDCGOgU6GNzhnscKOvZ4Ed8xpxY6CBTokNvO7n9EZT-zMmQiUWYI1Pl4WZqk_fnVcp5-n2U6I/s2560/0718231644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpY2CtY5u3UYG7CIt1EKsm24zsKQTuhj6IMGBSbGml9FYjJCFldSewvda1hr50cDpAPoK1Fx_L5FYo_1jnyCZG27UVHk3Sq3I49EFGxAe51AbkmlcX8BDCGOgU6GNzhnscKOvZ4Ed8xpxY6CBTokNvO7n9EZT-zMmQiUWYI1Pl4WZqk_fnVcp5-n2U6I/s320/0718231644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So much to do, so little highlighter ink!</span></div><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>In circulation desk news, the number of books that we have returned during each day has skyrocketed. I'd say it's a record, but this is just my second summer here, so it's hard for me to say with certainty. Of course, our youth librarian Eileen has told us that participation in the Summer Reading Program is at an <b>all-time high</b> this year, which is absolutely thrilling to hear. Plus it's encouraging to see just how much our patrons are reading this time of year, especially the youngsters who are off on summer break, so who am I to complain about a high number of book returns?</p><p>Now, if only we had more room to put them while they're waiting to be reshelved. Oh boy...</p><p>As a reminder, though, the Summer Reading Program <b>ends</b> on Saturday, August 5, so make sure you get your Beanstack logs and/or tracking slips in by that day! We have some fantastic prizes lined up, so it's worth it even if you can only manage one entry.</p><p>We also have a number of other activities keeping us occupied, including programs! Our youth department is planning another Books & Blankets on Thursday (Thompson Field Pavillion, 7/20 at 6:00 pm), and two LEGO Lab programs: one for ages 10-12 on Tuesday (7/25) and one for ages 6-9 on Wednesday (7/26) of next week.</p><p>For the adults, we have an exciting art program coming up on Wednesday, 8/9 called "Brighten Your Bookshelves", where attendees can come in and decorate one of our old bookends to use on their shelves at home! There's still oodles of room on the sign-up sheet - and you know I'll be there to get my art on.</p><p>There's even more coming up in the month of August for all age groups, so come in and check out one of our handy-dandy calendars for more information.</p><p>Behind the scenes, our director Cory has been weeding our fiction collection to make our shelves more browsable and to make room for new and exciting additions - it's a shame to see some of our titles go, but it'll be worth it when we don't have to worry about rearranging and shoving books onto shelves. All the better if it makes finding books that much smoother for our visitors - and you have a great chance to get both weeded and donated books for cheap if you check out our used book room.</p><p>There really are no boring days here at PDL. With so much going on, you might normally expect to hear me grumbling, but I find the work so rewarding because it's all for our beloved patrons! (That's you!) So how can I possibly complain?</p><p>That being said, I will be sure to leave enough room on my plate to continue updating this blog to give everyone a glimpse into what's happening at the library. I'd hate for anyone to miss out!</p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-9967226207940457102023-06-26T18:39:00.001-05:002023-06-29T13:06:32.863-05:00Learning from Fiction<p>I mentioned in a previous post that I've been mixing a lot of fiction into my reading lately, because just focusing on non-fiction was starting to become a bit tiresome. Strangely, though, I feel just as if I'm getting just as much education, if not more, from reading fiction than reading non-fiction alone. And no, that's not because I'm taking everything that happens in a fantasy novel as fact!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLN9jPE2sprgI_b-1Q6H31wAWJ8llKotkeMzs9X-j6BKr-1tZHFEYNAslr7RgrtnJ-H1Iu_Id_FUChF_rc4ogI_oDyp4gtg26rFCF2n71JuIoWMTl_y60zZi3Q3PlsITbLKV2WZ_9spMZgXvLhCYm1B1rUYwMUhkuVx8eE1f4q1sYyanpjnlo20FJ2Iy0/s392/grandmother-reading-book-grandchildren-home-260nw-167611241%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="392" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLN9jPE2sprgI_b-1Q6H31wAWJ8llKotkeMzs9X-j6BKr-1tZHFEYNAslr7RgrtnJ-H1Iu_Id_FUChF_rc4ogI_oDyp4gtg26rFCF2n71JuIoWMTl_y60zZi3Q3PlsITbLKV2WZ_9spMZgXvLhCYm1B1rUYwMUhkuVx8eE1f4q1sYyanpjnlo20FJ2Iy0/s320/grandmother-reading-book-grandchildren-home-260nw-167611241%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Is this a true story, Grandma?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Yes, sweetheart. And then George Washington fought a giant dragon while riding a bald eagle..."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, plenty of much more competent writers than I have talked about the benefits of reading fiction (one article I might recommend can be found <a href="https://www.tidybooks.com/blog/ten-benefits-of-reading-fiction/" target="_blank">here</a>), so instead I'm going to focus on a couple of examples.<span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, this is <i>absolutely</i> an excuse to share a couple titles I've liked recently.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55t3N_X0o19oeDONciQCrwrganpUUrpqMY8SEAsKOhQOjEc0Q1GWIwENffWic-3oyC-5gnVz2pYNkfmaab3Rg_ZbyTYCy2DbH8U1M0Ujyn7SNV5_F-PBVui-e2bykJKRLu7Ze3KmhxZPDeYX7XTFTBu4GVVWOXQJaq1eE3b6heykW8WrMPfmUM_0_z8I/s475/116563.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55t3N_X0o19oeDONciQCrwrganpUUrpqMY8SEAsKOhQOjEc0Q1GWIwENffWic-3oyC-5gnVz2pYNkfmaab3Rg_ZbyTYCy2DbH8U1M0Ujyn7SNV5_F-PBVui-e2bykJKRLu7Ze3KmhxZPDeYX7XTFTBu4GVVWOXQJaq1eE3b6heykW8WrMPfmUM_0_z8I/s320/116563.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><i>So You Want to Be a Wizard</i><div>by Diane Duane<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>So You Want to Be a Wizard</i> follows thirteen-year-old Nita, who hides in her local library while escaping from a group of bullies. She finds a book (sharing a title with the book she's in), recites the Wizard's Oath contained therein, and awakens the next day to find herself added to the register of local wizards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her subsequent adventures have her team up with fellow wizard Kit and a sapient white hole nicknamed Fred (short for Khairelikoblepharehglukumeilichephreidosd'enagouni) and engage on a perilous quest between worlds. Along the way, she takes a few opportunities to help others she meets, even a few characters who would normally do her harm, as she considers her Oath and some prophetic advice given to her in an earlier chapter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKA0uBdVLRo6abXNrT_dLoruzexApV1-d7J6z3BrhX_66z0iTQ18sNEE2iif1ZexPggB0Cpp6OwseR5E0x-9GIyaqGM2s53FNs2rMUDlyItaXksAuY6927JTp_T9NP4zpz7I_pctyMDT2blKapuPS6GLjxxAXbXQogPN6rm1FTTzyfZJTSK4KgKCpU2A/s1000/91luDC5ifgL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKA0uBdVLRo6abXNrT_dLoruzexApV1-d7J6z3BrhX_66z0iTQ18sNEE2iif1ZexPggB0Cpp6OwseR5E0x-9GIyaqGM2s53FNs2rMUDlyItaXksAuY6927JTp_T9NP4zpz7I_pctyMDT2blKapuPS6GLjxxAXbXQogPN6rm1FTTzyfZJTSK4KgKCpU2A/s320/91luDC5ifgL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><i>The Library of Ever</i></div><div style="text-align: right;">by Zeno Alexander</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No, this one isn't on the list just because it's about a library! I will admit, however, that I checked it out when I was only working here for a couple of months, and I will also admit that it got me extra jazzed about what we do here, at least in the abstract. Anyway.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>The Library of Ever </i>follows the headstrong and precocious young Lenora, who happens upon the titular 'Library of Ever' through a passageway hidden within her own local library. Here, beings from all over the universe (and likely beyond) browse the collection and ask the librarians their most pressing questions. Her confidence and wit attract the attention of the Head Librarian, who has her swear the Librarian's Oath and appoints her Fourth Assistant Apprentice Librarian.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lenora swiftly ascends the ranks by resourcefully assisting every patron she meets and soon finds herself standing off against a secretive faction that wants to destroy all knowledge, showing her dedication, courage, and a fair amount of creativity at every turn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">---</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are some very obvious connections between these books, despite the fact that <i>Library of Ever</i> was published in 2020 and <i>So You Want to Be a Wizard</i> was published way back in 1983 (though it only really shows its age when describing certain features of the New York skyline). Both have strong female protagonists; though Nita has to grow into her confidence, while Lenora starts off with a fearless, can-do attitude. Both start in an ordinary local library, which is an <i>obvious</i> sign that libraries are the perfect launching point to any adventure!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, the most striking similarity, at least for this blog post, is the oaths that both girls swear - the Wizard's Oath for Nita, and the Librarian's Oath for Lenora.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, I'm not saying that young people should be compelled to swear binding oaths. But I found it very inspiring that both girls took on a set of values and, blending them with the advice of the people around them, strove to base their decisions, big and small, against them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think that everyone, be they an adult or a child, struggles a lot with staying consistent with the moral and ethical values that they hold most dear. I even think a lot of us haven't taken the time to really sit down and figure out what those are.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Wizard's Oath and the Librarian's Oath are examples of short, powerful statements of what's most important to our characters within the scope of their respective missions. They give the girls something to reflect on when they're conflicted about how to proceed, and it's impressive that even when their temptation is to run away or ignore a difficult situation, they instead do the hard thing and do what best lines up with the promises they have made.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, these books are children's fantasy stories, but identifying and following your values is a really, really important lesson for anyone of any age. And I know it's one <i>I'm</i> still learning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyputEVx9UDPDk5isuvARJSPt-tr7NtZFCiry4P0ftwOjzPMW9dk0Fzkm0bxJCBVOVZpDMJQBzFkGt145VQciqlDAmedosg1SuZ6MJUqmB2S8pCAT95ebdDvIPhuxvEx8xToymdiSQaWej1kVbMjKTi1Ve3oXfCpiF2qVVo81RYEYkBSU-zJQRwesuEw/s2121/Book.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="2121" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyputEVx9UDPDk5isuvARJSPt-tr7NtZFCiry4P0ftwOjzPMW9dk0Fzkm0bxJCBVOVZpDMJQBzFkGt145VQciqlDAmedosg1SuZ6MJUqmB2S8pCAT95ebdDvIPhuxvEx8xToymdiSQaWej1kVbMjKTi1Ve3oXfCpiF2qVVo81RYEYkBSU-zJQRwesuEw/s320/Book.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-22687424509189449282023-06-20T15:06:00.004-05:002023-06-20T17:10:45.154-05:00Books and Gardens and Seeds, Oh My!<p>Libraries are a great source of all kinds of resources - books, films, research, arts and crafts, and at PDL, even seeds and vegetables!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7hbzwbwrIl6kPMTPxd0IxH5_c5ycO3ZdM0DWMzYnYiy1ONiZMtd4VIeMD4yXOf9gxONyZs2QbaS9vP59z6B6rUHjyu0WFliLjPflFfi3-9jSoMIXhbiCSdbkT9pLQe8jhCWQCkKjFD-YmLp2ixvhg1crxd22O7KCfZGQVuIHAo-dAC-1bwGdp1Ma/s460/IMG_20230615_174756795_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="460" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7hbzwbwrIl6kPMTPxd0IxH5_c5ycO3ZdM0DWMzYnYiy1ONiZMtd4VIeMD4yXOf9gxONyZs2QbaS9vP59z6B6rUHjyu0WFliLjPflFfi3-9jSoMIXhbiCSdbkT9pLQe8jhCWQCkKjFD-YmLp2ixvhg1crxd22O7KCfZGQVuIHAo-dAC-1bwGdp1Ma/s320/IMG_20230615_174756795_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So much potential in such a compact area - just like the seeds themselves!</span></div><p>I remember when I was living in Ypsilanti and first encountered the seed collection at the public library. I was very intrigued, but had absolutely no idea how any of that worked and was too shy to ask.</p><p>Naturally, I was thrilled when I began working here just in time for the preparation and launch of our own seed library. It's much simpler than I thought it would be - and it turns out that library staff are generally very friendly and more than willing to answer questions for folks.</p><p>Between the seed library and our children's sensory garden, you'd definitely think that everyone here has a green thumb. Sadly, I am about as proficient at gardening as I am with auto-repair; that is to say, not very.</p><p>But there really is something very magical about gardening, isn't there? It's a great way to get ourselves outdoors and into the sunshine. It helps us feel proud of our efforts and our environment, since we go to the effort of caring for and cultivating our plants. And, if you're inclined to grow fruits and vegetables, it's also a good way to get some bonus nutrition in. After all, what's more satisfying than cooking or eating food you grew all by yourself?</p><p>So I'm wondering if maybe I should look at what I still have time to plant this season (I'm told there's still enough time to plant lettuce) and get to pulling some weeds to give gardening another try. After all, we have plenty of seeds here at PDL!</p><p>For those who want to enjoy garden-fresh herbs and veggies but don't have a garden at home, stop by the library on or after July 10 for our Fresh Food Bonanza! You will also be able to share pictures of your kitchen masterpieces for the chance to win a prize - look for more details on our Facebook or here at the library!</p><p><br /></p><p>Do you garden at home? Are you curious to learn more about the seed library? Any garden stories you'd like to share? Tell us in the comments below!</p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-59917499121360899542023-06-12T16:38:00.008-05:002023-06-13T18:24:25.479-05:00No Time to Read!"I just don't have time to read."<div><br /></div><div>I've heard that a lot from family and friends. I've caught myself thinking it as well, when things get busy - how can I dedicate myself to sitting down and doing something as mentally engaging and (dare I say it?) <i>unproductive </i>as reading a book?</div><div><br /></div><div>I have to go to work, do chores around the house, make sure my child is doing alright, watch a movie, play video games, and --</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh. Wait a second. Something strikes me as odd about that list.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfTefS66e35r4mLIzukBrdOehXW6RcfsAsdYB7aC9cT5cBW1T3vhi30gxAGt4Q-b7uHo0iHd5q99lw87fmdXiGyS6uqcH5s4w63sMuy3QT-9bRPfadVOSZBgiXVpkMqkdSQDNaWGXc63SIW4APOFEx4PP4q_lzaHnQF3pEqnuRX0PmTuMJjYpPjYs/s1200/time-for-reading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfTefS66e35r4mLIzukBrdOehXW6RcfsAsdYB7aC9cT5cBW1T3vhi30gxAGt4Q-b7uHo0iHd5q99lw87fmdXiGyS6uqcH5s4w63sMuy3QT-9bRPfadVOSZBgiXVpkMqkdSQDNaWGXc63SIW4APOFEx4PP4q_lzaHnQF3pEqnuRX0PmTuMJjYpPjYs/s320/time-for-reading.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gosh, I'd love to sit down and read, but I'm too busy looking for my glasses.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I think it's easy for us to forget that reading is easily swapped in for more passive forms of entertainment. I've also noticed that a lot of folks put a certain amount of normative weight - that is, an expectation of something they <i>should be doing</i> - on what is for many a source of fun and relaxation.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you feel don't have time to read, think about why that may be. Do you find the idea of reading an entire book to be a bit overwhelming? Have you been reading a lot of technical or difficult material for work or school? Are you currently invested in beating a video game, watching the next episode of a series, or checking social media?</div><div><br /></div><div>Reading isn't something I like to encourage people to do because they <i>should</i> be reading, or because it's somehow "better" than other forms of entertainment. I like to encourage people to read because it's an imaginative experience, an informative experience, and a fun experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, like any other kind of fun, different styles of books and different reading paces work better for different people.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're like me, and you tend to look at the big picture, and like to finish things in one go, you might look at a large book and say, "There's no way I can read that whole thing right now! I should wait to start until I have time!" I often feel like if I break a story into smaller chunks, it'll break my immersion, or I won't remember what happened as clearly.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, I've recently started reading a chapter book with my eight-year-old every night, and we can easily get through one or two chapters before bed, and pick it up the next night. Sometimes we even skip a night, if it's someone else's turn to read a different book - but we always pick up right where we left off, and the details come right back to us.</div><div><br /></div><div>And so for me, the only hard and fast rule now is to avoid reading when I can't fully focus on it. Reading on the bus has never worked for me, because I always need to break my concentration to make sure I didn't miss my stop. Reading during a TV commercial doesn't work because I split my attention off as soon as the show is back on - or I just end up ignoring the show. It's okay to only read a little bit at a time - as long as you're able to really pay attention to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also remember getting burnt out on all the nonfiction I was reading. It wasn't super fun and I was getting to the point where I could only absorb so much more information before my head got too heavy to hold up anymore.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I picked up a novel - possibly even a teen novel, well below my "reading level" - and suddenly, reading was fun again. I didn't have to apply everything to my life or analyze or critique advice or think too hard - I got to immerse myself into the story and enjoy the ride. I think we get so caught up on reading as being educational and informative that we forget we can just read for fun - and that fun books are also good for our brains.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nowadays, I always make sure that for every nonfiction or educational book I read, I follow it up with a piece of fiction, to make sure I'm maintaining a good balance between "work" and "play" in my reading - or at least skewing more to the side of play.</div><div><br /></div><div>Honestly, making it more fun for myself and being honest about what feelings I'm having that make it seem like there's not enough time or energy to read (or do anything else, for that matter!) makes carving out time to do it in mindful and creative ways much more manageable. Plus, sometimes, "just two chapters" can easily turn into an entire afternoon of reading, because it's a lot easier to keep something going than to get started.</div><div><br /></div><div>But sometimes we do just feel like doing other things. We want to play the new <i>Legend of Zelda </i>game (and some of us may have already logged more than 120 hours into it...). We want to chat with our friends on Facebook or Instagram, or we want to binge a new series that we just found on Netflix, or even in the library's DVD collection.</div><div><br /></div><div>And that's okay!</div><div><br /></div><div>It is absolutely fine to take something you enjoy, like reading, and say, "This isn't a priority for me right now." Trust me when I say that it is so, so much better to admit you want to take a break from something to do other things than to just let yourself keep feeling bad that you don't ever get around to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>And you know, sometimes, if "this isn't a priority for me" doesn't feel like the right thing to say, it can be a good motivator to rearrange some other things on the docket.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, if you're the sort of person who thrives with external motivators, we do have our Summer Reading Program going on right now. (The kickoff event this past Friday was AMAZING, by the way!) It's open to all ages, with some minor differences between age groups, and it can be a great way to incentivize your own reading. I, personally, am so excited to get through my own reading backlog for the program, though really I've had all year to do it already!</div><div><br /></div><div>But I think, at the end of it all, "I don't have time to read," really just means, "I'm not sure how to get started," or "I'm not sure how to balance the things I want to do." Those are things I think everyone struggles with from time to time. Take your time. Whether you make a plan for an hour of reading, or make a split-second decision to reach for a book instead of the remote, or even just admit that you don't want to read the book that's been staring at you from the coffee table for a week, remember that it's supposed to be fun. It can be something you want to do instead of something you're "supposed" to do.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Have you been putting off reading any books because of your busy schedule? Do you have a trick to get yourself to read even when you're feeling a little lazy? Is there any hope left at all for me to get through the mountain of books that's rapidly taking over my living room? Tell me in the comments!</div>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-51713775215674785712023-06-03T10:37:00.002-05:002023-06-03T10:37:52.875-05:00Summertime Kick-Off!<p>Wasn't it just March? My calendar says June 3rd, but I swear it was just snowing and they were still selling leftover Valentine's Day candy at Rite Aid. Now all the trees are green, the weather is sunny and warm (or rainy and warm), and stores are putting out rainbow flag merchandise for Pride Month. Just where does the time go?</p><p>Maybe it's flown by so fast because we've been so busy. Portland Creates has just finished up its voting period (results still pending) and we've been zipping around getting ready for our annual Summer Reading Program. I can't tell you how many prizes we've stamped or bagged up or otherwise arranged just for our kickoff event, not to mention all the decorating that's been done in the youth department downstairs.</p><p>Once we've kicked off Summer Reading, it'll be business as usual for a while, but something about rewarding folks for spending more time reading has a way of making people, well, spend more time reading. More time reading equals more books read; more books read equals more books borrowed; more books borrowed equals a busier library. It's definitely not a boring time of year, and it's a great chance to see some of our patrons who don't visit as frequently during the rest of the year.</p><p>It's a lot of fun! But fun makes the time fly by, and it'll be fall before we know it. I'm not ready for cool winds and orange leaves! I haven't even gone swimming yet!</p><p>My top summer tip: get a pair of sunglasses, lounge in your favorite lawn chair or hammock, and read outside! If you wear regular glasses like I do, you can get prescription sunglasses, or a pair of sunglasses that fits over your normal frames. I dunno if the chunky over-the-glasses look is in right now, but who cares about fashion when you have a stack of library books to get through?</p><p><br /></p><p>What are you looking forward to this summer? Any great reads I should take out on the lawn? Let me know in the comments!</p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-14042818882657026762023-04-26T10:32:00.000-05:002023-06-03T09:28:35.177-05:00English is WeirdTake a look at the English words <i>scale</i>, <i>scale</i> and <i>scale</i>.<div><br /></div><div><i>Scale</i>, as in "to climb up" comes from the Latin <i>scala</i>, meaning "ladder". A musical <i>scale</i> is probably derived from this definition, because the notes go up and down.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Scale</i>, as in "a moveable plate on the skin of a fish or lizard" comes from the Old French <i>escale</i>, meaning "shell or husk".</div><div><br /></div><div>And <i>scale</i> as in "measuring device" comes from the Old Norse <i>skal</i>, a drinking cup sometimes used as measuring device.</div><div><br /></div><div>That Old French <i>escale</i> ultimately comes from the Frankish word <i>skala, </i>which has a similar meaning to the Old Norse <i>skal</i>, and most French is derived from Latin, which means that the Latin <i>scala </i>is likely an influence in either or both of those words as well, so what we have here is a big old chicken-and-egg problem of linguistic origin.</div><div><br /></div><div>The upshot of all this is that we have four (and more) words in modern English with exactly the same spelling and pronunciation, but completely different meanings.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptccRPcmNZXSb6VpxjXtkr0hFo10HBU1CA6suCFoZ_ufqlDokUVSKLBTBDR7ONwEJS3eOx2BBKMbuyBjRB4tXBtyMvu-XxP5oRe1CepQOGUAW4TXpWV66QsXks-uaXFgDlEx8dDHVPa3K--PfXkF5DpBhNPclgj4VJHkaeJfYVTU7TU7DlaGOdZCd/s2200/Publication1-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="2200" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptccRPcmNZXSb6VpxjXtkr0hFo10HBU1CA6suCFoZ_ufqlDokUVSKLBTBDR7ONwEJS3eOx2BBKMbuyBjRB4tXBtyMvu-XxP5oRe1CepQOGUAW4TXpWV66QsXks-uaXFgDlEx8dDHVPa3K--PfXkF5DpBhNPclgj4VJHkaeJfYVTU7TU7DlaGOdZCd/w400-h309/Publication1-1.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The fancy word for this is <i>homonym,</i> meaning "same name".</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The sheer <i>scale</i> of absurdity (do you see what I did there? Huh? Huh?) within English is magnified when you look at words like <i>cough</i>, <i>thought</i>, <i>through</i>, and <i>drought</i> - each with a different pronunciation - or words like <i>knight</i> and <i>knife</i>, with a silent letter for seemingly no reason.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well... in truth, those <i>-ough</i> words all most likely used to rhyme. And the <i>K</i>s in <i>knight </i>and <i>knife</i> were originally pronounced - actually, all the letters in <i>knight</i> were, giving us something that sounded like "k-NEE-gt". So what the heck happened there?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, in the Middle Ages, English underwent something called the "Great Vowel Shift", where the pronunciations of a lot of words changed very drastically under a relatively short period of time. Language is a living and flexible thing, so this isn't unusual of itself, but the timing was very strange, since the printing press had very recently been invented, so English had, for the first time in its history, had the spellings of most words standardized, meaning that they were to be spelled the same way by every writer (I suppose before that it was sort of a free-for-all, figure-it-out-yourself kinda thing).</div><div><br /></div><div>So it's not so much that English is a strange language with a bunch of arbitrary, made-up rules about pronunciation, so much as our writing system was standardized for a pronunciation of English that nobody speaks anymore. I bet that if the Great Vowel Shift had happened about a century earlier, our spelling would look much, much different - <i>knight</i> and <i>night</i> could both be spelled <i>nite,</i> for example, and your doctor would say that you <i>ott</i> to <i>bie</i> some <i>coff </i>syrup when you're going <i>thrue</i> a cold.</div><div><br /></div><div>So the next time you're tempted to say, "English doesn't make any sense!", bear in mind that it does - you just need to have a good head for history to understand it. And if all else fails, just pretend that what you speak and what you read are two different languages - because they sort of are!</div>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-40867204475172990102023-04-01T12:26:00.002-05:002023-04-26T09:30:51.012-05:00Into the Swing of Spring<p>In my house, we often say spring is close at hand when these little guys start showing up again: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OqUuyg7jop4hO-dzNGtZ4vG10qkicApcdu8O7DFjZYFp1fvlclymJhOVFxqHDAsgQyoIdnRtLNc9XPlKwePVmwSXtCc6wdLm5Ia8M7LDVCYZtRrOaxwNgmf77dRPmfSjiOglWqTCBdgN31qI30qDouoOFe9zVA_JYqW-OqqodH2tcApk3FlzHRP-/s1800/american-robin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1800" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OqUuyg7jop4hO-dzNGtZ4vG10qkicApcdu8O7DFjZYFp1fvlclymJhOVFxqHDAsgQyoIdnRtLNc9XPlKwePVmwSXtCc6wdLm5Ia8M7LDVCYZtRrOaxwNgmf77dRPmfSjiOglWqTCBdgN31qI30qDouoOFe9zVA_JYqW-OqqodH2tcApk3FlzHRP-/s320/american-robin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The American robin is not merely a harbinger of spring:<br />it is also the state bird of Michigan.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sure enough, I have seen enough robins in the past week to sense that spring may indeed be on its way. Other signs are the beautiful (if still a tad chilly) weather we've had the past couple of days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Michigan does have trouble making up her mind, of course, hence the bursts of rain and even snow we've had between the sunny days. I was actually looking outside at a robin on Wednesday when the snow came swirling down - it didn't seem terribly bothered, of course, and it did brighten up considerably that afternoon - but the irony of seeing the symbol of spring in wintry winds didn't escape me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the weather <i>hopefully</i> becoming more fair going forward, it's a great time to start on new projects. Spring cleaning and airing out the house are a great tradition, as are getting some good sunshine and exercise outdoors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And if you're artistically inclined, here at Portland District Library, we are proudly hosting the annual <i>Portland Creates!</i> competition. Entry forms have been available all through March, and today, April 1, is the first day we can accept submissions!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each person can submit up to two artworks, and there are prizes to be won - in each of our four age categories, 2 winners will be selected by our panel of volunteer judges, and 1 winner will be selected by popular vote. Personally, I've never won an art competition and don't see myself starting now (we library staff do have our own category, though!), but it's still fun to get creative and see what your fellow Portlandians can do!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More information on <i>Portland Creates!</i>, including submission guidelines, and our other spring programming can be obtained at our Circulation and Youth Desks, as well as on our Facebook page (linked in the sidebar to the left). Call us or stop on by!</div><p></p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-9134776150001133382023-03-04T10:49:00.000-05:002023-03-04T10:49:00.325-05:00Graphic Novels - not just for kids!<p> Over the past several weeks, I have been occupied with finding new titles for one of our more overlooked collections - adult graphic novels!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEDLmlEOqoixdcAzpBWS3gG-JCBVjSWkADDqM51VaYmsI0s9JXMtZi0vT4f0yIjhnI5KfG3bhzYyBZ71hXqrtDA1rETO5xvN21TR8ijU_-xEdu2caXjnrZ3mssMMSAh2kW58LvAlYCglXxUKcL1L2Vl5jWvH7euboJodVB-kONom9DXqOq6kVjh9M/s3264/IMG_20230304_104524268_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEDLmlEOqoixdcAzpBWS3gG-JCBVjSWkADDqM51VaYmsI0s9JXMtZi0vT4f0yIjhnI5KfG3bhzYyBZ71hXqrtDA1rETO5xvN21TR8ijU_-xEdu2caXjnrZ3mssMMSAh2kW58LvAlYCglXxUKcL1L2Vl5jWvH7euboJodVB-kONom9DXqOq6kVjh9M/s320/IMG_20230304_104524268_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See our grandfather clock in the background?<br />It says it's reading time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><p>When you think of graphic novels, you may think about comic books - Batman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman and other superheroes. Maybe you think about the various teen <i>manga</i> series that we have on offer in our Teen Room, or about the popular <i>Dog-Man</i> comics and other graphic novel series we have for our youth patrons. However, graphic novels can be an expressive and artistic mode of storytelling even for adults; everything from memoirs to horror stories to romance can be expressed in this uniquely visual medium. It's not all just superheroes or kids' books - there are some truly impressive and sophisticated stories out there.</p><p>Of course, having graphic novels aimed at adults does also mean that parents who are unaware of their contents run the risk of accidentally checking out materials they don't find suitable for their children. It is important to always check which collection a book is part of, and to make sure to discuss any concerning material with your children.</p><p>The adult graphic novel collection can be found next to the teen fiction shelves outside of the Teen Room - and new titles are soon to be added!</p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-69660316915504292922023-02-13T11:52:00.002-05:002023-02-13T11:52:52.435-05:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6dqSkPYVdTRpCSONFHAKOPCK0p99XeNeZ8efpR5Lc947RQo-O3MzIbAVCgMqaK7VXKJEJ98lONJNKbhOjZ3lY5u5QssAinLUlGwaCNW8_Z8-5FUWEHkYWBjc6I99dDAlGUmxftwGpLm6FmGj5ucMkbCFeEMxnsEV0hDdF9BegfaxtCk6vMB9tpCkJA/s360/vindication.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="255" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6dqSkPYVdTRpCSONFHAKOPCK0p99XeNeZ8efpR5Lc947RQo-O3MzIbAVCgMqaK7VXKJEJ98lONJNKbhOjZ3lY5u5QssAinLUlGwaCNW8_Z8-5FUWEHkYWBjc6I99dDAlGUmxftwGpLm6FmGj5ucMkbCFeEMxnsEV0hDdF9BegfaxtCk6vMB9tpCkJA/w102-h143/vindication.jpg" width="102" /></a></div>We have all kinds of DVDs available at the library--feature films,
television shows, instructional videos, children's videos--but one
category that I'm not sure people realize we have is faith-based films.
Did you know, for example, that there's a faith-based crime drama
series? It's called <b>Vindication</b>, and we have both seasons so far. And
everyone has heard of the big names, like <b>God's Not Dead</b>, and <b>Heaven is
for Real</b>, but there are so many other options available! We have
inspirational sports movies, historical dramas, family films, and so
much more. Our staff would be happy to help you find any of these
films, so stop in anytime and ask!<p></p>Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06955726761579722791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-81902270859688880062023-02-11T11:41:00.002-05:002023-02-11T11:41:34.611-05:00Open Access Literature at the Library<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlrKkDIzwKwYnWvqlPoXzA__xjh20_x0c-wBlCgkpozlTzkcUM-HZKbORan0VFnb_rlGiwHMGoo8I-f2wf3d4PSL0-EHt2tBlFGtJ6liDLgzZ6m93vn4HU3S4DJpTZHNyF2VGDxGztewff551_jMgeQcKrOXVNn4zJ_63L816UFm6AWYhoZIjy7sG/s2400/open-access-logo-png-transparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="2400" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlrKkDIzwKwYnWvqlPoXzA__xjh20_x0c-wBlCgkpozlTzkcUM-HZKbORan0VFnb_rlGiwHMGoo8I-f2wf3d4PSL0-EHt2tBlFGtJ6liDLgzZ6m93vn4HU3S4DJpTZHNyF2VGDxGztewff551_jMgeQcKrOXVNn4zJ_63L816UFm6AWYhoZIjy7sG/s320/open-access-logo-png-transparent.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Open Access makes scientific and scholarly literature more accessible than ever.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;">Students in high school and college are often tasked with writing research papers, and though the standards might vary by grade level and subject matter, it's generally important to have reputable sources at hand to provide information and evidence to their claims. At Portland District Library, we're lucky to have a robust non-fiction section in both our youth and adult areas, as well as a selection of teen offerings to bridge the gap between the two sections.</p><p style="text-align: left;">However, as much as we'd love to, we don't always have the most up-to-date information about all topics on our shelves. As a public library, we can provide information for a wide variety of general topics, but we are limited in what specific kind of texts we can keep on our shelves. And back in the old days, students may have had to travel to an academic library at a university (maybe MSU?) to access scholarly research beyond what was on their local library's shelves.</p><p style="text-align: left;">But we have the internet! And something very exciting has been happening in the world of academic literature.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I remember writing a research paper and finding what looked like a perfect article online to get more information - but oops, it wasn't available through my library. I would've had to pay to get access to just that one article, and it might not even have the info I needed! As I'm writing this, I'm looking at an article in the <i>Journal of Library Administration</i> that costs $50 to access the one article - if I wanted to read the whole journal issue it came from, it would be $230. And that's not for life, either - that's for 48 hours (for the one article) to a month (for the issue). Needless to say, I won't be reading the whole thing, if only because I plan on buying groceries next week.</p><p style="text-align: left;">This is super common as costs rise across universities and academic publishers. If your library or university doesn't pay for a subscription to an online journal, you can't read it without forking over serious dough yourself.</p><p style="text-align: left;">This is why I'm so thrilled about Open Access. Open Access Journals are free to read for anyone, be they a student writing a paper or just a person trying to learn as much as they can about a subject. You can read scholarly papers, the kind that you know is going to be a trustworthy source for your research, without having to pay a crazy price just to read a single article.</p><p style="text-align: left;">There are a number of sources you can use to find these Open Access articles. MeL has a database called "Academic Search Complete", which can be found at <a href=" https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/search/basic?vid=0&sid=dbff44de-05bb-4704-9f43-ff9fdfdf6c45%40redis" target="_blank">this link.</a> Not all of those articles are Open Access, but if you Google the name of the journal it's from, you can quickly find out if there's a free-to-read version.</p><p style="text-align: left;">There's also the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), which can be found at <a href="https://doaj.org/" target="_blank">this link.</a> All of the sources listed on this directory <i>are</i> Open Access, which means they're free to read and cite.</p><p style="text-align: left;">So if you or someone you know has to write a research paper for a class, or just research a new topic for fun, Open Access is going to be your best friend. And if you need any help citing your sources, figuring out your search terms, or even just making sense of what you're looking at, then Portland District Library is here to help.</p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-21417945306940830342023-02-02T19:57:00.002-05:002023-02-04T09:32:38.921-05:00Groundhog Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6chmEb7eF8gz7EEJOTtTXkcF7j_VHDwBecJdNMSbyBioalSdau8HmuHTl0MJvKzqI23xavHT9m7IqEiWv4Snr5Ix0QHiG5RHTZPMHIWobNhxsfcxlhoDa8_Yw3lym0hvbmQcJynop4iFpxvd8HEHVtID68I87hdwgDr0xV5b9Qz_mCHF474x0WzD_/s592/ffcdc38f-643a-4a39-a543-66ac72915f69-AP_APTOPIX_Groundhog_Day.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="592" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6chmEb7eF8gz7EEJOTtTXkcF7j_VHDwBecJdNMSbyBioalSdau8HmuHTl0MJvKzqI23xavHT9m7IqEiWv4Snr5Ix0QHiG5RHTZPMHIWobNhxsfcxlhoDa8_Yw3lym0hvbmQcJynop4iFpxvd8HEHVtID68I87hdwgDr0xV5b9Qz_mCHF474x0WzD_/s320/ffcdc38f-643a-4a39-a543-66ac72915f69-AP_APTOPIX_Groundhog_Day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">How anyone could not love this guy is beyond me, but how reliable<br />is his weather report?</span></div><p><br /></p><p>I don't know how much stock I place in Punxatawney Phil, the nationally famous groundhog with unquestionable lovability but <i>highly</i> questionable divinatory powers. But it is Groundhog Day, and tradition dictates we heed his warning about what the next six weeks hold in store.</p><p>It appears that it was sunny enough out there for Phil to see his shadow, presaging six more weeks of unforgiving winter. And as dubious as I find it that a groundhog in western Pennsylvania can predict our famously inconstant Michigan weather, the fact remains that it was sunny enough in Portland this morning for local Michigan groundhogs to see theirs, as well. And with the way our winters have been, I suppose wouldn't surprise me if the cold did last six weeks longer than we like.</p><p>It does afford us a little more time to build snowmen, snow forts, and armies of snowball-wielders, but if cold and snow don't fit into your idea of a good time, then Portland District Library has something you're sure to love: <strike>indoor heating</strike> books! Even though our 2022/23 Winter Reading Program is behind us, there's no reason not to spend some snowy hours curled up under a blanket with a good book.</p><p><br /></p><p>What are you reading this winter to keep warm and cozy? And do you think Punxatawney Phil is worth his salt as a meteorologist? Comment below!</p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-41494035970514683952023-01-20T10:01:00.009-05:002023-01-21T09:09:38.391-05:00Cozy at the Library<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbrj_nEVq3xp5hEgR_F7V9wPLT4lGrShyBGtcPQUZlDaSB7pTWcgwPdgt3dFaGE_zvPY1rdGhROwBeYbxyXP6kED_X4CyX73AvN3CTjl9__R4nDj60kPpEMwDThtssyLG7j5UG244JRv9yA39H6jU4PRZHG6I_n8cqoEhvPDPutZa_JMOys0Xp5AT/s697/IMG_20221115_162343942.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="697" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbrj_nEVq3xp5hEgR_F7V9wPLT4lGrShyBGtcPQUZlDaSB7pTWcgwPdgt3dFaGE_zvPY1rdGhROwBeYbxyXP6kED_X4CyX73AvN3CTjl9__R4nDj60kPpEMwDThtssyLG7j5UG244JRv9yA39H6jU4PRZHG6I_n8cqoEhvPDPutZa_JMOys0Xp5AT/s320/IMG_20221115_162343942.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>After a wet and mild couple of weeks, we finally have some snow in Portland! I'm sure I've said it before, but one of my favorite things about snow (and rain and whatever the sky wants to drop on us) is getting to watch and listen from a comfy place indoors.</p><p>The fireplace in the apse, aka the big windowed space at the end of the building, is one of my favorite places to cozy up with a book on a quiet, snowy day. There's just something so nice about just being warm and protected from the elements - a sort of happy, romantic feeling.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>I think the Danes would call this feeling <i>hygge</i>, a famously Scandinavian sense of coziness and togetherness. It's a great antidote to the winter blues and the cabin fever that comes from being all cooped up.</p><p>If you'd like to learn more about <i>hygge</i>, we have an excellent book on the topic in our collection:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYAWtWm4FVe4JaMOapRQKqhi-NO6lMkiWL6g4nLU7EwRu0yRod6_z6-hH6vIYBIT6z8F4Mxe1iVeW5XpoKRaj3-yCfHK6TtIWEfXBiTRtj4kiBjeeKoZd4OYXXvhqhl4iDQ9vw901YMZtoZrO0XPTKopqCZNzqnncDXe-x6sbjuCGoMRwh2RAYoLC/s400/hygge%20cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYAWtWm4FVe4JaMOapRQKqhi-NO6lMkiWL6g4nLU7EwRu0yRod6_z6-hH6vIYBIT6z8F4Mxe1iVeW5XpoKRaj3-yCfHK6TtIWEfXBiTRtj4kiBjeeKoZd4OYXXvhqhl4iDQ9vw901YMZtoZrO0XPTKopqCZNzqnncDXe-x6sbjuCGoMRwh2RAYoLC/s320/hygge%20cover.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Marie Tourell Søderberg</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[158.1 SOD]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For extra coziness, don't forget that the Winter Reading Program is still underway! Adults who complete all five levels will receive a <b>super-cozy PDL blanket</b> - just show us your completed tracker (available at the circulation desk) or your five badges on the Beanstack app/website. You'll also be entered for a drawing for the grand prize!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whether you're keeping warm with us at the library or spending time at home, I hope this snowy January day finds you cozy and <i>hyggelig</i>!</div>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706155647264563097.post-66856739211619040132023-01-11T10:35:00.001-05:002023-01-11T10:46:31.480-05:00National Letter Writing Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3_uL8PcwPj4v2yLlXcB8o0-MNuMGvpK4-_5JUMeyAwv3_5vA1nnzgbfHQjarl4Uu1Pzgg-F6t0jcKBVVb7JF5jjEEYZV28frRQl3RP7pGOCE8_2ykQhfhuHF7DG2V5e735ajGt9weMffb1jp9KTEhk36zsQfj__R64GyeoGnSRe8-28JrqXqrJsH/s1245/Letter-Writing-BW-3-OldDesignShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1151" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3_uL8PcwPj4v2yLlXcB8o0-MNuMGvpK4-_5JUMeyAwv3_5vA1nnzgbfHQjarl4Uu1Pzgg-F6t0jcKBVVb7JF5jjEEYZV28frRQl3RP7pGOCE8_2ykQhfhuHF7DG2V5e735ajGt9weMffb1jp9KTEhk36zsQfj__R64GyeoGnSRe8-28JrqXqrJsH/s320/Letter-Writing-BW-3-OldDesignShop.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Clip Art courtesy of The Old Design Shop [olddesignshop.com])</span></div><p>Did you know that the second week of January is National Letter Writing Week? Neither did I, until it was already upon us! As I went about my work at the library, trying to think of how to celebrate this unique occasion (aside from penning a letter or two of my own to friends and family), I realized that Portland District Library has the perfect thing for <i>any</i> occasion - books!</p><p>If you are participating in our Winter Reading Program (which is running until January 28th - if you aren't, there's still time!), then you're likely already reading anything you can get your hands on to fill your reading time. But if you're open to suggestions, here's a list of books for every age level to get the whole family excited about letters, from their writing to their contents:</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><i><u>Adult:</u></i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Keep Me Posted - </i>Beazley, Lisa - "Two sisters share the surprising highs and cringeworthy lows of social media fame, when their most private thoughts become incredibly public in this fresh and funny debut novel." (Goodreads)</li><li><i>The Love Letters - </i>Lewis, Beverly - "Marlena Wenger, a young aunt from the Beachy Amish caring for her infant niece, finds comfort and hope from an Old Order Amish mother and her family who extend friendship to a homeless man, whose few possessions include a collection of love letters." (Publisher)</li><li><i>Paper Chains </i> - Moriarty, Nicola - "From the acclaimed author of The Fifth Letter and Those Other Women comes this touching story of secrets, friendship, family, and forgiveness—and the serendipitous twists of fate that shape our lives." (Goodreads)</li><li><i>The Letters</i> - Rice, Luanne - "Parting ways after the sudden death of their only son, Sam and Hadley West retreat to opposite sides of the country, but the couple exchanges written letters while Sam treks out to the crash site in Alaska via dogsled, and Hadley moves into a slightly haunted house in Maine, with intentions to start painting again." (Publisher)</li><li><i>The Last Letter</i> - Yarros, Rebecca - "Beckett, a solider in Afghanistan, falls in love with Ryan's sister through her letters to him and, despite feeling guilty over his friend's death, seeks her out to fulfill his promise to watch over her." (Publisher)</li></ul><div><i><u><br /></u></i></div><div><i><u>Audiobooks:</u></i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Letters from Skye</i> - Brockmole, Jessica - "A sweeping story told in letters, spanning two continents and two world wars, Jessica Brockmole's atmospheric debut novel captures the indelible ways that people fall in love, and celebrates the power of the written word to stir the heart." (Publisher)</li><li><i>Dead Letters </i>- Dolan-Leach, Caite - "A missing woman leads her twin sister on a twisted scavenger hunt in this clever debut novel of suspense for readers of <i>Luckiest Girl Alive</i> and <i>Reconstructing Amelia</i>." (Goodreads)</li><ul><li>Note: This title is also available at PDL as a traditional book!</li></ul></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><i><u>Teens:</u></i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>The Love Letters of Abelhard and Lily</i> - Creedle, Laura - "When Lily Michaels-Ryan ditches her ADHD meds and lands in detention with Abelard, who has Asperger's, she's intrigued--Abelard seems thirty seconds behind, while she feels thirty seconds ahead. It doesn't hurt that he's brilliant and beautiful. When Abelard posts a quote from The Letters of Abelard and Heloise online, their mutual affinity for ancient love letters connects them. The two fall for each other. Hard. But is it enough to bridge their differences in person?" (Publisher)</li><li><i>To All The Boys I've Loved Before</i> - Han, Jenny - "Lara Jean writes love letters to all the boys she has loved and then hides them in a hatbox until one day those letters are accidentally sent." (Publisher)</li><li><i>Letters to the Lost</i> - Kemmerer, Brigid - "Juliet Young has always written letters to her mother, a world famous photojournalist--even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. When Declan finds a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist the urge to write back. Soon, he is sharing his pain with a perfect stranger. When real life interferes with their secret life of letters, Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart." (Publisher)</li><li><i>From Twinkle, with Love</i> - Menon, Sandhya - "Told through letters, aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra learns a lesson about love while directing a movie for the Midsummer Night arts festival, in which her longtime crush and his twin brother are also participating." (Publisher)</li><li><i>Dear Martin -</i> Stone, Nic - "Writing letters to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., seventeen-year-old college-bound Justyce McAllister struggles to face the reality of race relations today and how they are shaping him." (Publisher)</li></ul><div><i><u><br /></u></i></div><div><i><u>Nonfiction:</u></i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Writing to Persuade </i>- Hall, Trish [808.042 HAL] - "In the tradition of <i>The Elements of Style</i> comes Trish Hall's essential new work on writing well--a sparkling instructional guide to persuading (almost) anyone, on (nearly) anything." (Publisher)</li><li><i>Extraordinary E-mails, Letters and Resumes -</i> Nobleman, Marc Tyler [808.6 NOB] - "A detailed explanation of how to write e-mails, résumés, letters and other types of correspondence." (Publisher)</li><li><i>The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela </i>- Mandela, Nelson [968.060 MAN] - "An unforgettable portrait of one of the most inspiring historical figures of the twentieth century, published on the centenary of his birth." (Publisher)</li><li><i>Kurt Vonnegut: Letters</i> - Vonnegut, Kurt [813.54 VON] - "A compilation of personal correspondence written over a sixty-year period offers insight into Kurt Vonnegut's literary personality, his experiences as a German POW, his struggles with fame, and the inspirations for his famous books." (Publisher)</li></ul></div><div><i><u><b><br /></b></u></i></div><div><i><u><b>Youth:</b></u></i></div><div><i><u><b><br /></b></u></i></div><div><i><u>Middle Grade:</u></i></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Letters from Cuba</i> - Behar, Ruth - "The story of a young Jewish girl who escapes Poland to make a new life in Cuba, while she works to rescue the rest of her family." (Goodreads)</li><li><i>Dear Mr. Henshaw</i> - Cleary, Beverly - "In his letters to his favorite author, ten-year-old Leigh reveals his problems in coping with his parents' divorce, being the new boy in school, and generally finding his own place in the world." (Publisher)</li><li><i>The Journal of Curious Letters [13th Reality #1]</i> - Dashner, James - "Thirteen-year-old Atticus "Tick" Higginbottom begins receiving mysterious letters from around the world signed only "M.G.," and the clues contained therein lead him on a journey to the perilous 13th Reality and a confrontation with evil Mistress Jane." (Publisher)</li><li><i>The Secret Letters [Mysteries of Trash and Treasure #1]</i> - Haddix, Margaret Peterson - ""When Colin finds a shoebox full of letters hidden in a stranger's attic, he knows he's supposed to throw them away. That's his summer job, getting rid of junk. But Colin wants to rescue the letters--and find out what really happened to best friends Rosemary and Toby way back in the 1970s. Meanwhile, across town, Nevaeh also finds a mysterious letter. But this one reads like a confession to a crime. And Nevaeh knows her father, the 'Junk King,' expects her to join the rest of the family in blaming a single suspect: his business rival, Colin's mom." (Publisher)</li><li><i>Are You Ready to Hatch an Unusual Chicken? </i> - Jones, Kelly - "Through a series of letters, Sophie Brown, age twelve, relates her adventures as two new unusual chickens come to the farm." (Publisher)</li><li><i>The 47 People You'll Meet in Middle School</i> - Mahoney, Kristin Mary - "Augusta writes letters to her younger sister, Louie, about life in middle school, from tackling a new school building to meeting new people like the assistant principal, the class pet, and the renegade." (Publisher)</li></ul></div><div><i><u><br /></u></i></div><div><i><u>Lower Grade:</u></i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Your Friend, Parker - </i>Curry, Parker - "Parker writes letters to her friend Gia while she travels across the U.S. and visits states such as Georgia and New Mexico." (Publisher)</li><li><i>Dear Earth... From Your Friends in Room 5</i> - Erin Dealey - "When the kids in room 5 write to Earth asking what they can do to help save our planet, they are delighted to get a letter back." (Publisher)</li><li><i>The Love Letter</i> - Denise, Anika - "Stumbling on the same mysterious love letter in turn, best friends Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel are reminded of the joys of friendship following a silly mix-up about their secret admirer." (Publisher)</li><li><i>A Letter for Leo</i> - Ruzzier, Sergio - "When Leo, a weasel mailman, rescues a young bird that was separated from his flock, the two become friends and Leo's dream of one day receiving a letter of his own may finally come true." (Publisher)</li><li><i>Earth to Clunk</i> - Smallcomb, Pam - "For a school assignment, a boy reluctantly writes a letter to Clunk of the planet Quazar, sending his older sister with it, but as more letters and packages are exchanged, he realizes that having an alien pen pal can be fun" (Publisher)</li><li><i>Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School</i> - Teague, Mark - "Gertrude LaRue receives typewritten and paw-written letters from her dog Ike, entreating her to let him leave the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy and come back home." (Publisher)</li></ul></div><div><i><u><br /></u></i></div><div><i><u>Youth Nonfiction:</u></i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Meet a Mail Carrier!</i> - Herrick, Becky [JNF 383 HER] - "This book introduces readers to the role of mail carriers in our community." (Publisher) <i>[Lower Grade]</i></li><li><i>Dear Malala, We Stand With You</i> - McCarney, Rosemary A. [JNF 371.82 MCC] - "An inspiring letter to two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Malala Yousafzai, that is both a show of support and a call to action for girls around the world." (Publisher) <i>[Middle Grade]</i></li></ul></div><p></p>Ozma S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05291434972007844474noreply@blogger.com0