tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49605571119068904362024-02-20T12:16:27.493-08:00Powassan and District Union LibraryUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-43447133193123094822013-02-12T09:45:00.000-08:002013-02-12T09:45:01.327-08:00The Man Who Quit Money--Blog by Elaine OshellThis very readable non-fiction book by Mark Sundeen investigates an acquaintance of the author who, since they parted ways at high school, has renounced money as a make-believe conundrum that makes us selfish and self-centred.<br />
<br />
The protagonist, Daniel Suelo, gave away his life savings, all thirty dollars, in 2000 and has been living on the generosity of friends, strangers and nature ever since. He was raised in a Christian fundamentalist family that still welcomes him into their homes despite his sampling all other mainstream religions, eventually settling on his own minimalist belief that we should all attempt to live as much as possible like Jesus--love your enemy, turn the other cheek, bless the meek--even though it is almost impossible to live in America without a "mortgage, property tax, home insurance, utility bills, health insurance and retirement savings", as listed by the author, who has yearned to live more simply himself.<br />
<br />
Suelo lives mainly in a cave in Utah, bicycling and walking into the nearest town to dumpster-dive, use the computers at the public library, visit friends and volunteer at a women's shelter. He does not want charitable donations but takes what is freely given (shelter, rides, meals, food) and shares whatever he has. His wildly popular blog is www.zerocurrency.blotspot.ca but he has found it difficult to write much since the book was published in 2012 due to a stream of visitors.<br />
<br />
This book raises interesting questions about our modern lifestyle but his method of dealing with it all is not for everyone. As Sheila pronounced, as she checked me and my book out the other day, "He obviously doesn't have kids!"<br />
<br />
"Or likely a wife," I responded, immediately recognizing my own predilection for a warm home, a reliable food source and electronic devices--all requiring regular inputs of cash. We were both right .Elaine Oshellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08982802916620226739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-40685589396234346742012-12-17T09:47:00.001-08:002012-12-17T09:47:35.183-08:00From Ampersand...<br />
The following is a review written by Chris from our November/December 2012 issue of the library's newsletter, Ampersand.<br />
<br />
<b>Non-Fiction: </b><i><b>Swerve: How the World Became Modern</b> </i><b>by Stephen Greenblatt 940.21</b><br />
In this wide ranging history, the author reconstructs the story of the re-discovery, in the early 15th Century of a poem written in 50 B.C. He argues that the poem which might otherwise have been lost, was the seminal work which kicked off the Renaissance.<br />
There are two central characters in the story. Poggio, a papal secretary who re-discovers the poem by Lucretius called 'The Nature of Things.'<br />
Lucretius, who lived in a time of multiple gods, was apparently an atheist and a humanist. His work is wide ranging from the erotic to the scientific. It apparently had an understanding of astronomy and atomic structure.<br />
Greenblatt traces the progress of distribution of this remarkable poem from its re-discovery in a German monastery by Poggio. It was ruthlessly suppressed by early Catholic and Protestant churches. Yet its content kept it alive until it was eventually printed and translated from the Latin into modern languages.<br />
Not everyone will enjoy this book, but, for those with an interest in history, it is involving and readable.<br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-46310477238173243732012-12-17T09:43:00.001-08:002012-12-17T09:43:10.487-08:00From Ampersand...The following is a review written by Chris from our November/December 2012 issue of the library's newsletter, Ampersand.<br />
<br />
<b>Fiction:</b> <i>The Prisoner of Heaven</i> by Carlos Ruiz Zafon<br />
<br />
This is the third in a series which starts with <i>The Shadow of the Wind</i> and continues through <i>The Angel's Game</i>.<br />
The stories are set in Barcelona. They concern the era of the dictator Franco in the pre-World War II time of widespread repression in Spain.<br />
Zafon is a consummate story teller with a touch of the gothic. The main characters work in a book store and there are occasional visits to a secret and hidden library known as the Cemetery of Forgotten Books.<br />
In this story <i>The Angel's Game</i> is referenced as a book by a mysterious mad writer, who may, or may not have died in one of Franco's worst prisons. One of the book store employees, who was also imprisoned, tells the story of the castle prison and its sadistic governor.<br />
I envy anyone who has not read these books and has that pleasure ahead of them. The Library has all three.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-21400253826934168132012-11-21T17:39:00.001-08:002012-11-21T17:39:45.692-08:00The Elegance of the HedgehogI discovered this delight in the New Books section and am a little reluctant to give it up. Even though it caused me to lose a full day of my vacation, I truly enjoyed this foray into the Parisian world of luxury apartments, autodidacts and family foibles.<br />
<br />
It is author Muriel Barbery's second novel and is translated "from the French" by Alison Anderson. The two main characters, concierge Renee Michel and twelve-year-old tenant Paloma Josse, are both hiding their true talents and finest qualities from the world for fear they will not be believed nor appreciated. In their own words we are introduced to a wide variety of interests and observations including phenomenologic philosophy, the importance of regular doses of silence, vapid dissertations, the underrated colour pink and Japanese culture.<br />
<br />
When a wealthy, retired Japanese exporter, Kakuro Ozu buys and renovates one of the large apartments in their block, the quirks and prejudices of the other tenants quickly are revealed. All are abuzz about the new tenant; all hope to be included in his exotic circle.<br />
<br />
It is Mr. Ozu who quickly discerns who are his most intelligent, interesting fellow inhabitants--Madame Michel and Paloma. Through kindness and good conversation he strikes up a companiable romance with the concierge. By respecting the profound abilities and difficult family life of Paloma, he gives the gift of justification to a troubled girl.<br />
<br />
His greatest gift to both is his gentle hand that facilitates their friendship.<br />
<br />
And now it is back on the shelf for all to enjoy. Elaine Oshellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08982802916620226739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-9948873075670325542012-10-10T10:04:00.002-07:002012-10-10T10:04:48.829-07:00Comparing TraveloguesIn the interest of full disclosure I have to admit to being a serial reader. Not the trilogies or Harry Potter juggernaut, although I have dabbled in the consecutive genre. No, it's more like a lack of focus and I start one book before I have finished the last. At any one time I may be reading as many as six.<br />
<br />
So it was that I recently found myself reading two travelogues simultaneously quite by accident. I had been meaning to read Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier for some time and checked it out and dove in. But alas, I had to go to the mall and there's a book store there! And didn't I leave with several under my arm, one of which was The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by new author Rachel Joyce. It hooked me over lunch in the food court and I was off. (At about the same time Marie purchased Harold Fry for the library.)<br />
<br />
Cold Mountain is set in the American Civil War and follows the path of W.P. Inman, a wounded Confederate soldier, who walks away from the war back to his home in the Blue Mountains and to Ada Monroe, the woman he loved. Since he is a defector, Inman must use his wits to outsmart the marauding Home Guard, aiding and being aided by slaves and farmers along the way. Interwoven is Ada's tale of trying to revive her deceased father's derelict farm with the able assistance of a local girl, Ruby. Although Ada and Inman attempt to correspond with each other the only one who benefits from their letters is the reader as they never connect.<br />
<br />
So Inman's journey is a lonely, uncertain one--uncertain of success and, even, if Ada is still on the farm and waiting for him. And such is the climate that, should he succeed in reaching Cold Mountain, his deserter status will prevent him from settlng in.<br />
<br />
Harold Fry's journey begins innocently enough in his village in the south of England (Kingsbridge) when he steps out to mail a note of encouragement to a dying colleague who is in hospice 600 miles away at the northern tip of the country. A chance encounter along the way convinces him that his friend, Queenie, will live as long as it takes him to deliver the note in person. So he keeps walking.<br />
<br />
Harold is woefully ill-prepared for the excursion--recently retired, dressed only in tennis shoes and a light jacket, unfamiliar with the rigours of long-distance walking and sleeping in the elements. It turns out his journey is as much an escape as a destination. His long marriage to Maureen has stalled in an unhappy quagmire and neither seems to know how to get out. But neither has found the reason to end it and move on.<br />
<br />
Along the way Harold encounters the good and bad elements of society but on the whole, most are decent and helpful. His travels force him to revisit the highs and lows in his life, and as he and Maureen begin to talk again, the immaterial falls away.<br />
<br />
I won't give away either ending except to say that both men complete their journeys. And both books, in their own way, are an excellent read. <br />
<br />
<br />Elaine Oshellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08982802916620226739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-47147188804413650932012-08-17T09:09:00.003-07:002012-08-17T09:09:47.799-07:00Home Front by Kristin Hannah - Blog by Sandy<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">This is a hard book to put down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a story about honour, love, tragedy and family life.</span> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">A troubled marriage is made worse when the wife who flies helicopters is sent to fight in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country>. The husband, a workaholic lawyer, quickly learns what it takes to run a household and raise children. There is also the friendship between two female pilots that plays a big part in sustaining the characters and showing us two different type of military life styles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reader learns a lot about PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and life in military families. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-72915092678825990472012-08-16T09:28:00.000-07:002012-08-16T09:28:00.283-07:00The Odd Egg: Give this a try with your kids!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUuY0900d4lryM7oAGJ3mT6vi5aqiM2SJGDIw40K4fWz5UC67oQFbG4HEQ6yGJNQjiOU2TaSGaE79Lp3DPkc5-JH56nUt21yLbJOXFxJfd7BMlZEc6ZuxWAinKnmcxzWB7t_uAUZwtcXC/s1600/odd_egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUuY0900d4lryM7oAGJ3mT6vi5aqiM2SJGDIw40K4fWz5UC67oQFbG4HEQ6yGJNQjiOU2TaSGaE79Lp3DPkc5-JH56nUt21yLbJOXFxJfd7BMlZEc6ZuxWAinKnmcxzWB7t_uAUZwtcXC/s200/odd_egg.jpg" width="200" /></a>This past week at our TD Summer Reading Club, we did a group read aloud of The Odd Egg by Emily Gravett. This book features fun illustrations, split pages, and a suspenseful and joking story line perfect for kids. This book allowed a lot of feedback as we asked, "What kind of bird is that?" and "What do you think will hatch out of this egg?" Each of the children at the program shared their guesses and were quite surprised when it was revealed what was really inside the 'Odd Egg'.<br />
<br />
To make this read aloud even more exciting, we provided each of the children with plasticine and encouraged them to build a creature (imaginary or realistic) that would be found inside of their egg. Their creations included bunnies, elegators (a mix between an elephant and an alligator), and robots.<br />
<br />
After the plasticine creations were finished, we set them aside and got each of the kids to create an egg using a balloon and paper mache. This activity was super messy, but we had a tarp to protect the carpet and asked each of the parents to send their children in play clothes so that prevented <i>some</i> of the mess. The older kids grasped the concept more than the 5-year-olds who seemed to just enjoy getting their hands covered in the gooey mixture.<br />
<br />
Before the next program, Emma and I are going to do another layer of paper mache on each of the eggs, give them a quick paint job, and cut a hole inside the eggs just big enough to squeeze in the paper mache creations. When the children arrive, they'll have their 'Odd Eggs' with their surprise creatures to either play their own guessing games with or share with their families!<br />
<br />
This book was an awesome choice for our story time and the activity supplemented it perfectly!<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-74471065944919930272012-08-14T14:48:00.000-07:002012-08-14T14:48:00.131-07:00Where We Belong by Emily GiffinLast summer, I went through an Emily Giffin phase. I read Something Borrowed, then Something Blue, then Love the One You're With, and Baby Proof. I'd seen numerous tweets from <a href="http://twitter.com/emilygiffin">@emilygiffin</a> on Twitter about her latest title Where We Belong so I just had to read it. I also tweeted about my desire to read it. I was kind of hoping for a retweet - that didn't happen. #sadface<br />
<div>
Where We Belong was great! In this book, Marian is forced to confront a secret she's kept with only her mother for eighteen years... because her eighteen-year-old secret shows up on her doorstep. This little secret could not have come to light at a worse time for Marian. She is in a steady relationship, slightly putting pressure on her boyfriend to propose, has a career and hardly time for anything else.</div>
<div>
Marian's secret, an eighteen-year-old drummer chick named Kirby, gives this novel a kind of Young Adult twist. Kirby's character appealed to me as I could sense her hesitance and uncertainty in getting involved with a life-changing situation with Marian. </div>
<div>
If you liked Emily Giffin's other novels, give this one a shot!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-76708153792141687702012-08-11T14:29:00.000-07:002012-08-13T14:10:23.770-07:00Fifty Shades of GreyThis isn't a book review, trust me, I'm not going to touch this one. Or as it has become to be known as in our library, It. Not a day goes by without someone asking, "Have you read It?" "What did you think of It?" These are just a couple reactions I've gathered from patrons (anonymous patrons of course) about It.<br />
<br />
Staff: So, what did you think of it?<br />
Patron: Well, you or I could have written it.<br />
Staff: Uh.....<br />
Patron: I mean the writing! It wasn't well written!<br />
<br />
Patron: I wanted to know if you have Fifty Shades of Grey.<br />
Staff: There's a reserve list on it. I can add your name to it.<br />
Patron: Yes, please. I was in earlier but I was too embarrassed to ask Chris to put my name on it. *<br />
<br />
*Chris is our only male staff member. It's okay, everyone, we've all signed a confidentially agreement that we won't divulge your book choices.<br />
<br />
Patron: OH MY GOODNESS! I flipped through it and I couldn't believe my eyes! Then I flipped a few more pages and I still couldn't believe it!<br />
Staff: Oh yeah, I flipped through it while I was cataloguing it and I was thinking the same.<br />
Patron: Yes, it's outrageous. Could you put my name on the second one, please?<br />
<br />
Staff: So what did you think of this one?<br />
Patron: I'm trying to get through it. But it does make you think about that type of lifestyle. I don't know... If I was 35, it might be better.<br />
<br />
Well, there you have it folks. It's almost worth reading 'Fifty Shades' just to see what the hype is all about. For the record, we have two copies of the entire series circulating here in the library. Lots of demand for this book!... :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-11622427207652328212012-08-09T14:24:00.000-07:002012-08-09T14:24:00.603-07:00Introducing... Lego Club!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our CEO, Marie, had an idea at the beginning of the summer to begin a <b>Lego Club</b> here at the library. We're having our third meeting tomorrow and so far Lego Club has been a huge hit... because <i>everyone</i> loves Lego of course!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each session has a theme. So far we've done zoos, outer space, and tomorrow we're planning on having a theme of architecture. Shhh, don't tell the kids! Each session opens up with five minute madness. We suggest that the children build a certain object in only five minutes. After this session, we share a little bit about our creations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our next activity lasts around 45 minutes. This is the main building activity related to the theme. During our outer space week, we gave the children 45 minutes to build a planet. The features that they built on these planets were unbelievable. The planets were able to sustain their aliens (built during the five minute madness) with food and water, offered defence methods with laser beams, and some even features methods of transportation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the rest of the session, the children can continue to work on their 45 minute project, or if they would rather, they can free build. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wrap up each session with a round of sharing, a giant round of applause and take pictures of each creation. The creations go on display until the following week on the shelves in the children's sections of the library.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our Lego Club is a drop in program. If you're looking for a fun way to channel your child's creativity, this may be it! During the summer, Lego Club will take place every Friday from 1:00-2:30pm. Feel free to drop in and see what it's all about!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdQXI8PN9NFLa55lvPl0TQbwOXogGQwwh-IGVIi5ykCOA_oyg7fyAhLk5alE7xOe4_faAQ2tu7LqTjSw4YTRDfu2UTsnD_Sfna2qYgYdl9cLVsQkqjy6ffMtpwgMsUQylXqy1Y2Nqdv07/s1600/IMG_1657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdQXI8PN9NFLa55lvPl0TQbwOXogGQwwh-IGVIi5ykCOA_oyg7fyAhLk5alE7xOe4_faAQ2tu7LqTjSw4YTRDfu2UTsnD_Sfna2qYgYdl9cLVsQkqjy6ffMtpwgMsUQylXqy1Y2Nqdv07/s320/IMG_1657.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nicholas and Brooklyn display their zoo.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-25841621132808537782012-08-07T14:38:00.000-07:002012-08-07T14:38:00.356-07:00Come Home by Lisa Scottoline - Jordan<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like books about relationships, specifically books about family connections. I also enjoy books with legal ties and theories and a slight element of suspense. I found all of these present in <i>Come Home</i> by Lisa Scottoline.</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come Home</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> features Jill Farrow, a widowed, divorced, and now-engaged </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pediatrician</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> who has lived an imperfect life, and admits to making flawed decisions. Jill's life seems to be finally coming together after a rocky past with her upcoming wedding and now-steady home life when she is shockingly reunited with her former step-daughter, Abby, who brings news of her father's (Jill's ex-husband's) death... and possible murder. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jill, who evidently cannot forget her obligation and motherly love toward her former step-daughter, makes a number of rash decisions in order to assure Abby that her father's death was not a murder. But then Jill begins to uncover some suspicious facts and becomes fixated on her ex's death.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Predictably, this puts a strain on the relationship between Jill and her fiancé Sam, and the sudden reappearance of her step-daughter Abby leads to friction between Jill and her daughter Megan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book kept me up late at night trying to unravel the mystery. I would recommend this book to any fans of Jodi Picoult. It was definitely a great summer read.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-40797116640431777752012-08-06T14:12:00.000-07:002012-08-06T14:12:00.326-07:00NEW IN YOUNG ADULT FICTION - Blog by Sandy<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> Clockwork Angel</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> by <span class="readable">Cassandra Clare<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObqav2lesSdlbCEoTd0_n4bzLXZvXecwHVJp5tPECzz0-75gEU4fkcd69-5hBGkL9p0ddHCFhE_esMpeM8h3RkYHB3ZX97d0UbbV-fWSoh3fCFyDAqL2JMfg68fzukz-UhBDFNdgVt5ST/s1600/7171637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObqav2lesSdlbCEoTd0_n4bzLXZvXecwHVJp5tPECzz0-75gEU4fkcd69-5hBGkL9p0ddHCFhE_esMpeM8h3RkYHB3ZX97d0UbbV-fWSoh3fCFyDAqL2JMfg68fzukz-UhBDFNdgVt5ST/s320/7171637.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="readable"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span><span class="readable"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">A light entertaining read with a fast paced,
intriguing plot that is set in Victorian London. If you like Demon Chasers, Vampires, Warlocks
and Magicians this is the book for you.
It is a prequel to The Mortal Instruments Series but can be read on its
own. It consists of danger, action and
romance as a young girl travels to London to find her brother only to learn
hidden secrets about herself. The female characters are tough, opinionated,
forthright, and fearless. Of the male characters one is emotionally challenged
while the other is physically challenged but both are strong, cocky, and handsome.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-41692840689575424072012-08-02T09:48:00.001-07:002012-08-02T09:49:56.985-07:00My eReader Experiences - Jordan<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer for me largely involves sitting in a lounge chair in my backyard with a novel. This year though, I've switched up a part of my old routine in favour of a recent innovation. I will admit that my dog-eared paperbacks have been swapped for a Kobo eReader. If I hadn't been generously given the Kobo by a family friend, this day might not have arrived so soon, but to my surprise, I can now comfortably read from an eReader with the same ease and familiarity of a print book. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I received this eReader, I borrowed a few books from Overdrive that I had been eager to read for some time but had not been available in print here at the library. If you're new to eReaders, my first recommendation would be download an eBook that you are genuinely interested in. Don't download the first available book you find just to try out your eReader as this not-so-favourable experience will likely create a negative association with your eReader. I believe this was my biggest mistake when I had borrowed an e-Reader from the library about a year ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've used Overdrive at all, you probably know most titles have extensive waiting lists on them. There were a few titles I wanted to read that weren't available on Overdrive (or in the library), so I purchased these from the Kobo store. This was </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so easy</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Much easier than taking a twenty minute drive to the nearest Coles. Definitely a plus side to using an eReader. Probably not so great for my Visa bill but that's another story. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since getting my Kobo, I've also had the chance to use a family member's iPad as an eReader. The backlight display makes reading in bed so easy, and getting books from Overdrive takes just a few clicks. I'm trying to trade my Kobo for the iPad... Just dreaming though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've used an eReader in the past and didn't like it, I'd say pick it up and give it another try. Maybe try a different model and see what features are of importance of you and what you can do without. A lot of people are hesitant to abandon the print book... and that's completely unnecessary. There's no reason why you can't find an eReader that you love and enjoy the best of both worlds!</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-53274515810024294952012-05-11T13:07:00.004-07:002012-05-11T13:07:45.170-07:00Check These Books Out! - Chris<div>
<img height="200" src="https://www.irshadmanji.com/wp-content/files/2011/04/all-us.jpg" width="130" />
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Allah, Liberty & Love by Irshad Manji </b>- A great follow up to her earlier, The Trouble With Islam. Manji urges Muslims and non-Muslims to break free from the tribal interpretations of Islam. Great Stuff!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<img height="200" src="http://www.inc.com/uploaded_files/image/launch-26-habit-bkt_14235.jpg" width="200" />
</div>
<b><br /></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><b>The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg </b>- Using a variety of examples from nailbiting to football, the author shows how habits are formed and changed. Interesting and inspiring.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-56428172135917856272012-02-03T09:36:00.000-08:002012-02-03T09:36:14.659-08:00Annabel by Kathleen Winter<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Book Blog: Annabel by Kathleen Winter</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Last month,
it seemed like I was hearing about Kathleen Winter’s <i>Annabel</i> over and over. First of all, the book club discussed it.
Then, when deciding what to put on the Staff Picks shelf, Helen mentioned that
she absolutely loved it. As I looked into the book, I figured it would be the
kind of book that I would enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Annabel
explores the concept of a hermaphrodite child born in Eastern Canada. The child
is forced into embracing his male identity, and goes by the name of Wayne, but
as he ages more feminine tendencies become evident within him. Despite his
father’s attempts to masculinize Wayne, over time, he begins to sense there is
something present within him that causes him to be different than the other
boys he encounters. Eventually, he begins to really question – is he Wayne, or
is he Annabel, the female who he senses lives within him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This book is truly amazing, as evident through the many awards it has won, including Amazon.ca Best Book of the Year 2010 and New York Times Editors Choice in 2011. I will definitely be recommending this book to patrons in the future.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-40707616011202410372012-01-06T13:13:00.000-08:002012-01-06T13:13:07.091-08:00Untamed - A House of Night Novel (Spoilers!)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just finished the fourth House of Night novel, Untamed, last night.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really wasn't impressed with Untamed when I first began reading it. While I liked the other books, I've begun to find them extremely repetitive. The fact that Damien uses advanced vocabulary has already been established, and yet it is still mentioned way too many times in every book. While I can understand the authors explaining this to new readers, it is extremely overdone to the point that it becomes annoying.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also started to get annoyed with the dialogue of other characters as well, mainly during conversation involving the twins. It's just not believable for me that conversation would actually progress like that between older teens. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully, the plot quickly advanced and previously introduced ideas were addressed and developed which made the rest of the novel enjoyable. Once I really got into it, I forgot about the annoying writing style (except when the twins were speaking to each other). The progress in the war on humans and the exposure of Neferet's true evil motives are what really kept me reading. In fact, wanting to know how this war on humans progress is what caused me to check out the fifth book in the series today. I suspect that the fifth book will be even more action-packed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All in all, I am still this series when I'm able to overlook some of the more irritating aspects of the Casts' writing and will continue to recommend this title to other readers of Young Adult Fiction.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-69240765261481035392012-01-03T13:53:00.001-08:002012-01-03T14:43:34.056-08:00End of Year Reading Review for 2011<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
If you've been following this blog for sometime, you might remember that last January I posed a challenge to myself and all followers to read one book beginning of each letter of the alphabet. I forgot about this challenge mid-year, and upon compiling a rough list of the books I read this year, I can say I was unsuccessful in completing the challenge. I did read many notable books this year though -- see some highlights below!<br />
<br />
<strong>Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert -- </strong>This book took me on a journey. I re-read several pages and passages from the book because I found Gilbert's thoughts and perspectives so inspiring. I'll probably read this book again in 2012 when I need some motivation or a change in perspective. <br />
<br />
<strong>Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs </strong>-- I'm not entirely sure why I chose to read this book, but I'm glad I did. I loved all the characters in this book, and their relationships were extremely entertaining. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the other books in this series. <br />
<br />
<strong>The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins</strong> -- The Hunger Games series was <em>so good</em>. If you haven't read the series yet, make sure it's the first thing you read in 2012. Seriously. <br />
<br />
<strong>Other books I read (and remembered):</strong> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chosen - P.C. and Kristin Cast<br />
No Roads to Follow - Michael Herman<br />
Betrayed - P.C. and Kristin Cast<br />
The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks<br />
Marked - P.C. and Kristin Cast<br />
Knit the Season - Kate Jacobs<br />
Mocking Jay - Suzanne Collins<br />
Along for the Ride - Sarah Dessen<br />
Knit Two - Kate Jacobs<br />
The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins<br />
Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins<br />
Keeping Faith - Jodi Picoult<br />
The Undomestic Goddess - Sophie Kinsella<br />
Unbearable Lightness - Portia de Rossi<br />
House Rules - Jodi Picoult<br />
Sing You Home - Jodi Picoult<br />
Bossypants - Tina Fey<br />
Living Dead in Dallas - Charlaine Harris<br />
Friday Night Knitting Club - Kate Jacobs<br />
Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert<br />
Save Me - Lisa Scottoline<br />
Sizzle - Julie Garwood<br />
Fire and Ice - Julie Garwood<br />
Mommywood - Tori Spelling<br />
Mini-Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella<br />
The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom<br />
The Shack - William P. Young<br />
Sundays at Tiffany's - James Patterson<br />
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas - James Patterson<br />
Sarah's Key - Tatiana de Rosnay </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Instead of creating another Reading Challenge in 2012, I'm just going to try and read as often as possible and add a little more diversity into my reading list by exploring new authors and new genres. I'm also going to blog about each book I read... which will hopefully make it easier to review the books I've read this time next year. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Happy New Year!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-48598102810609405482011-12-08T13:31:00.000-08:002011-12-08T13:31:07.147-08:00Patron Appreciation Post<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b>You know you're a patron at the Powassan Library when...</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">1) You don't have to tell the staff your name when you check out your books. We already know who you are.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">2) You find yourself among a group of other patrons outside the front door at 10:15 am. We don't open until 10:30.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">3) You race to the computer lab because you want to use Ahab. That computer is already in use.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">4) You receive a call from the library saying you have a book in, and you can't remember reserving it. You take it anyway, and you love it. The truth is that you didn't reserve it. we knew you would love it, and took the liberty of reserving it for you. You're welcome.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">5) You hear of a book being made into a movie and vow to read the book before seeing the movie. It turns out the rest of the community had the same idea, and you find yourself at the bottom of the list. (See #6)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">6) You want to read a book and the library a) doesn't have the book or b) has it but the reserve list is quite long. Instead of making you wait for the title, a staff member lends you his or her own personal copy.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">7) You've found yourself driving to the library on a Wednesday only to get there and remember we're closed on Wednesdays. Don't be embarrassed. I work here, and I've done it too.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">8) You own and/or have bought someone else a pair of slippers from the library and you absolutely love them.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">9) You've shown up at the library with a stash of toonies to pay off some of your fines. You're grateful that the maximum fine is $2.00.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">10) You bring your children to the library and they protest that they really don't want to leave because they're having so much fun playing with the touch-screen computer and animals.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">11) You receive a call that a book you were waiting for has finally arrived!... ten minutes after you've left the library.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">All jokes aside, <b>thank you</b> for being a valued patron of the Powassan Library! We enjoy seeing each and every one of you during your library visits.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-62205296961937896502011-11-29T13:34:00.000-08:002011-11-29T13:34:44.439-08:00Christmas Gift Ideas!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Christmas Gift list for the Book Lover</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, yes. It’s November 26th. That means only 29 days left until Christmas, and even fewer days to shop for the people on my Christmas list. I know a lot of people find Christmas shopping to be quite stressful, myself included. As your friendly neighbourhood library blogger, I’ve decided to give you, my reader, a special Christmas gift. You even get it early! My gift to you: a list of gift suggestions for the book lover on your list. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1) An eReader </strong>- </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the top item on my Christmas list. (<em>Hint, hint! ...</em> - just kidding) I would recommend reading reviews online to see which device would be the best gift for the intended recipient. If the recipient is not so tech savvy, you'll probably want to select a more simplistic model, but if you feel they'd really take advantage of all the available features, something in colour with Wi-Fi might be best. If you're feeling quite generous, I'm almost positive that anyone would enjoy an Apple iPad!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.futureshop.ca/Search/SearchResults.aspx?path=ca77b9b4beca91fe414314b86bb581f8en20&q=ereaders&sp=FS_en-CA_Site-WideSP&Category=Entire%2520Site&pcname=MCCPCatalog&AllowSecure=True"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View eReaders</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Giftcard -</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you know that they love to read, but you're not positive what exactly they like to read, you absolutely can't go wrong with a gift card. Consider purchasing a gift card for your local gift store, or even get one for an online store such as Amazon or Chapters. This way, you you're giving the book lover in your life something they'll surely enjoy.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amazon Website</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapters Website</span></a><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Something You Recommend -</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the best books I've read have been recommended to me from my friends and family. If you've read something and loved it, pick up a new copy and pass it on to the intended recipient. Make sure to mention that you've already read it, and loved it. This makes the gift a lot more personal. I'm actually planning on giving the first book in the Hunger Games series to my best friend, as I loved the series and I think she will too! Eat, Pray, Love is another book I have in mind for a close friend. I know she watched the movie multiple times, but I found the book was <em>way</em> better than the movie and I think she'll agree!</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) Bookmark</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This gift sounds kind of obvious and simplistic, but I've discovered some bookmarks that are really cool. They're made from metal, and shaped like a hook. The hook end hangs out of the book with some kind of bead or charm at the end. You can make this gift personal too by picking a charm that you feel the recipient will enjoy. You can find these in stores, or on craft sites such as Etsy. The link below will direct you to Etsy. </span><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/search?includes%5B%5D=tags&q=hook+bookmark"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Etsy Hook Bookmarks</span></a><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) Bookends</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If your beloved reader has a large book collection, bookends would likely be a greatly appreciated. If you're handly with tools and a paintbrush, you might be able to create your own bookends. If you're not (like me!), these can also be ordered online. Again, you can customize them to fit the interests of the recipient! Below is another link to Etsy, this time I've searched for Bookends.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/search?ref=auto&q=bookends&view_type=gallery&ship_to=CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Etsy Bookends</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully this list of items takes some of the stress out of your Christmas shopping! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Happy Holidays from the Powassan Library</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-30632197153015771572011-11-26T09:13:00.000-08:002011-11-26T09:13:50.837-08:00House of Night Series<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently one of my co-workers here at the library recommended that I check out the House of Night series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. I’d heard her suggest this Young Adult series to many of our young patrons, so I decided to give it a shot. I’m now on the second book in the series and I’m incredibly anxious to read the rest. If you enjoy Young Adult books or know someone who does, the House of Night series is a must read.<br />
The series opens up with the book Marked in which high school student, Zoey Redbird, is selected to become the latest vampyre fledgling to attend the local vampyre academy, the House of Night. The authors manage to put their own unique twist on what life of a vampire (or in this case vampyre) entails. From what I can tell so far, the series will follow Zoey as she learns more about vampyre life, tries to resist her growing lust for blood, and develops into an adult vampyre.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book is written from Zoey’s perspective in the typical language a sixteen-year-old girl would use. While this might not be enjoyable for everyone, this was one aspect of the book that actually drew me in, as it makes the series so easy to follow. As I said earlier, I'm really anxious to see which direction this series will take!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Reading! :)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-33969511646055470292011-08-30T13:20:00.000-07:002011-08-30T13:21:29.219-07:00Back to School!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today marks the second last day of August, signifying that the summer months are regrettably behind us. The nights are getting cooler, and the days are getting shorter (although the library </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">will be open longer hours). Soon enough, the library will be vacant of children, teens, and students during the daytime hours as they spend their days in class. If you are a parent or friend of a student heading back to school, or if you, like me, are a student yourself, make sure to keep some of the following library services in mind as you take on another year of school. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>The CAP Centre</u> – It is nearly impossible to succeed in school without access to a computer. Instructors expect papers to be typed submissions, and ask for research to be completed online. We know that some people don’t have access to computers, or don’t have the privilege of access to high-speed Internet, and so we provide public access computers equipped with the net and recent versions Microsoft Word. Although there is a cost for prints, accessing the computers is free. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Wireless Internet</u> -- If you prefer to use your own computer or device to access the Internet, you can connect to our Hotspot at a cost of $2.00/hr or $10.00/8hrs. The library is generally a quiet place to study and the environment is perfect for getting work done!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Databases</u> – The library subscribes to numerous databases that will prove useful to any student over the course of the school year. Check out the databases that are currently featured on the home page of our website to see just how easy it is to complete research quickly and easily. If your school does has no access or limited access to databases, these sources of information would be highly beneficial to you. Databases can be accessed free of cost by anyone with a library card. Some of these databases can even be used from your home computer. I know I will personally be using these databases in the upcoming school year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Borrowing/Inter-library Loans/PALS</u> – If you are required to read a certain text and don't wish to purchase it, have a look around our shelves to see if it's available here for borrowing. Books are loaned for three weeks and may be renewed depending if the book is in high demand. If we do not have the book on our own shelves, we can attempt to order it from a different library. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another service that might be useful, especially for those studying by correspondence, is the PALS partnership that the Powassan & District Library shares with the Nipissing/Canadore's Learning Library. If you have a library card here, you can get a card for the Learning Library free of cost and borrow any of their plentiful materials. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<u></u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are just a few of our resources that are beneficial to students. To see what else is available, visit the library and have a look around!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-25324790204741464772011-08-05T09:56:00.000-07:002011-08-05T09:56:47.630-07:00Expand Your Library, Expand Your World<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last fall, the library board announced their plans to expand the library. At that time, many residents of the area and library patrons visited the library asking staff questions about the project, expressing their opinions, and making donations. As the population of Powassan and area tends to expand during the summer months, with cottagers and summer residents, questions regarding the project are being raised once again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you're not a library regular, you might question the need of an expansion. Yes, the library seems like it is an appropriate size for a small community. However, the Powassan & District Union Public Library serves more than just the Municipality of Powassan. It is also the library for residents of Chisholm, Laurier, Restoule, and Nipissing. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you take a closer look around the premises, you'll begin to notice how materials are cramped together on the shelves making it quite difficult to remove books and put them back. Take into account that we're constantly expanding our collection, and the shelf space seems even more limited.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> If you're here on a busier day, especially during the summer months, you'll notice that the library lacks room for people to sit and read, whether it be a newspaper or a novel. You'll see that patrons with laptops who wish to use our wireless Internet with their laptops often have nowhere to sit. And during the school year, students seeking a quiet place to tackle assignments and finish homework have few places to sit and do so.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I haven't even mentioned the staff work space yet. Imagine three people trying to complete seperate tasks in that area. We practically have to dance around each other trying to get things done. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ah, yes, spend some time in the library and you'll definitely see an expansion is needed. As soon as possible.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">With that being said, another question comes to mind -- When is this all happening?! Well, obviously, we need the money to make it happen first. We've done some fundraising with proceeds going to the addition, and a fundraising blitz is expected to take place this fall. We've received donations (and for that, we're <em>so </em>grateful) that will help speed up the process a little bit. Once we've raised a portion of the money needed, we'll begin applying for grants to assist us with the project. And once that giant step has been completed, the planning and building stages will commence. It's safe to say that completion is years away, however the sooner we garner the funds, the better.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The library has changed so much since its last major structural change in 1982. We now offer services that would have seemed impossible for a library to offer at that time, and I believe our building should change based on the fact that we do have so many things to offer. Statistics will easily demonstrate that membership is constantly increasing, and so we're serving a growing number of people. Circulation of the large (and increasing) number of materials we do have is growing as well, and we're busier than ever! The library plays a vital role in the community, and an expansion will only acknowledge this.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-72772759706456024562011-07-23T11:26:00.000-07:002011-07-23T11:26:18.654-07:00Reading Challenge Update E,<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Recently, I read <em>Eat, Pray, Love </em>by Elizabeth Gilbert. I'd already seen the movie, and to be honest, I thought it was just okay. Definitely a good story, but the movie proceeded much too slowly to hold my interest. I saw that <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em> was back on the shelves, finally. (Books made into movies tend to have tons of reserves on them, before and after the movie comes out) I thought I'd check it out, and see if I liked it...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I absolutely <u>loved</u> it, and I found that it was ten times better than the movie! The book delivered the emotions felt by Gilbert more effectively. I really felt like I could understand what exactly she was going through. I was definitely inspired by the guts Gilbert displayed traveling alone to Italy, India and Indonesia. It was inspiring to see how she was able to build a new life for herself and find enlightenment. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I've recommended this book to many of my friends! This is book is now on my "read again" list.</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Bossypants by Tina Fey</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I've already covered the <em>B </em>for my challenge... But I just finished this book, so I feel the need to blog about it as well!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tina Fey is a comedian from Saturday Night Live, who also is a producer of 30 Rock. Bossypants is her autobiography. As you can probaby guess from her credentials, this book was hilarious. However, as I was not all that familiar with Fey's career, it didn't do much for me, besides a few laughs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you are familiar with Tina Fey, I'd recommend reading this as it gives insight to her career decisions and life stories. If not, I'd probably pass... There was a lot of things I couldn't grasp just because I haven't followed Fey's career.</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is another autobiography, by another actress, this time the author is Portia de Rossi. In this book, de Rossi wrote about her career and it's implications on her personal life. Though I had no idea who Portia de Rossi was, other than knowing she is Ellen DeGeneres' wife, I was still able to enjoy this book.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The main reason why this different from Bossypants, in the sense that I didn't have to <em>know</em> de Rossi's entire career was because this book explored how her eating disorder and sexuality influenced her career. It was super interesting to see how she dealt with everyday life as a result of this eating disorder. Someone without an eating disorder can't really understand it's implications, yet this book opened that door for me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Though this book isn't at the top of my "read again" list, I did somewhat enjoy it. I'd give this one a 6/10.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">That's it for my Reading Challenge Updates for now. I've read <strong>a lot</strong> of books in the last little while (a result of the sunny weather!) so expect some updates soon! Hope everyone is having a safe and happy summer!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-57887583585317237432011-06-17T12:10:00.000-07:002011-06-17T12:10:42.497-07:00Yet Another Surprise at the Library...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get laughed at by friends and family whenever they sit in my car. Why? Because they have to be careful not to knock the fishing rod stowed between the seats and they lose valuable leg room to my stuffed tackle bag. Yup, fishing is definitely one of my favourite summer past times. I'm lucky enough to have inherited most of my dad's cast-off and no longer needed tackle and rods, however I know not everyone has an outdoorsman with a surplus of fishing gear in their family.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For those of you without fishing gear, <strong>we've got you covered.</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">How, you may ask, could a library possibly help someone without fishing gear? The answer is simple. We'll lend you fishing gear just as easier as we lend out books, and movies! You can borrow a fishing rod already equipped with line, and a tackle box as well. The tackle box contains bobbers (<i>a lot of bobbers)</i>, leaders, various jigs and hooks, sinkers, and a couple of lures. Besides the cost of your fishing licence, you can fish for free!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">If you have grand kids in town for their summer vacation, are cottaging in the area, or just want to test your luck with the fish in the Hydro Pond, come check out or rods and tackle. With every rod and tackle box lent out, I personally guarantee you a memorable day... however, I can't guarantee you'll catch the big one!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">You never know what you'll find when you set foot in the library!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960557111906890436.post-90152458143217897492011-06-10T08:15:00.000-07:002011-06-10T08:15:14.709-07:00Top 5 Friday - Databases<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We subscribe to a variety of databases and resources, all of which are made available to our patrons through our website. Because there are so many different resources, people often overlook them and miss out on the information these databases can offer. These are the Top 5 Databases/Resources in my opinion in no particular order. Enjoy!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1) Overdrive -</strong> Overdrive provides thousands of titles, in audio book and ebook format - which can be lent to any patron for a 7 or 14 day period... all free of cost for you. This is awesome, since books in these formats can be costly. All you have to do is find a book you wish to borrow, sign it out, and download it to your computer or device. If you haven't checked out Overdrive yet, and think it might be something you're interested in, call the library to sign up for our class next Thursday, June 16th at 6:30 pm.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>2) Pebble Go - </strong>This service is better suited for a younger audience. I use it all the time in my Cybercamps because it is a fun and easy way for kids to learn new things about animals and science. I find that they actually like using this website to learn because of the colourful, child-friendly layout. It is so easy to use, and gives great information. Check it out! Don't forget to enter the username and password, which are listed beneath the icon on our reference database page.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>3) Novelist - </strong>Novelist is one of the newer services we offer. It gives you a summary, and other information on pretty much any novel you can think of. I like Novelist best because it gives recommendations based on which books or authors you enjoy. It always helps me out when I have a nine-year-old boy come up to me and ask me to find him something cool to read. Novelist also tells you the next book in a series, which can always be handy. If you're a book lover, take advantage of this resource.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>4) Ancestry - </strong>I, for one, wish I knew more about my ancestry. I plan on delving into a search for my roots... eventually. If you're currently engrossed in a search to find out who your great-great-grandparents or uncover your family history, try Ancestry. It's super easy to use, and the information you can discover on this site is amazing. If you're going to try this out, I suggest coming into the library on a Thursday night at the end of the month when Mary Heasman can help you with your research and show you the tips and tricks of Ancestry.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>5) Chilton -</strong> I recently became a car owner and I'm sure this database will come in handy at some point in the future. It contains repair and maintenance instructions for all types of vehicles. I think the best thing about this particular resource is that it is readily available on our website and much easier than hunting down a repair manual elsewhere!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This has been another <em>Top 5 Friday</em>. Tune in next week.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0